Strike Averted - Maliki Accepts Federation's Demands - negotiations on implementation continue

Following an hour and a half meeting with the Prime Minister of Iraq on Wednesday May 16th, the IFOU reported that Maliki has accepted all 16 of the Federation's demands. A committee has been composed to look at the implementation of these demands. Federation President Hassan Jumaa Awad said that the meeting had been very positive and the Prime Minister had been very responsive.

He said that a month had been allocated for the demands to be fulfilled. Strike action is by no means excluded in the event of demands remaining unfulfilled.

The committee for implementing changes is composed of represnetatives from the Ministry of Oil, the Prime Minister's office, the Iraqi Federation of Oil Unions and the Southern Oil Company. The Federation's statement said that this won't be the last meeting with the Prime Minister and that ' Solidarity and will have achieved our aims and we consider this to be recognition of the Federation'

Full Strike Communique to Iraqi Prime Minister

No./ 227

Date/ May 5, 2007

To/ His Excellency Prime Minister of Iraq

May peace and God's mercy and blessing be upon you

Subject: Strike

Further to our statement issued number 180, dated April 27, 2007, copy attached.

Our wounded Iraq, weakened by the bayonets of occupation and almost declared sectarian warfare, endures difficult circumstances. Unemployment has reached unacceptable levels; the economy is in desperate condition resulting in inflation of the cost of living of the Iraqi citizen — due in part to the increase in fuel prices in accordance with the notorious agreement with the International Monetary Fund. The IMF has been piling pressure on the government to push for the implementation of its policy in Iraq, and despite the best attempts of some Iraqi decision makers to reform wherever possible and to alleviate the resultant suffering, others have sought to derail serious solutions, by avoid dealing with urgent problems that directly impinge on the life of the citizen.

We at the Iraqi Federation of Oil Unions—responding to our sense of patriotism and our legal and professional duty—have contacted government officials in the Ministry of Oil, the Parliament and even the Cabinet of Ministers and communicated the concerns of our members.

All of these concerns can be satisfied by implementing the relevant laws and following courses of action that worked in the past without any complications. That being the case, twice in the last six months we have contacted the Ministry of Oil and communicated with the minister, Dr. al-Shahristani, in addition to meeting with numerous other high ranking ministry officials, and each time we have only gained promises that were never fulfilled.

We feel that the active contribution of our member workers in the productive process of the oil sector in the South is being ignored and their role marginalized. How else to explain the granting of bonuses on the basis of profits to the oil refineries in the North (al-Bayji) and the Northern Oil Company despite their low production level, as publicly stated by the oil minister? And what should we call the inconsistencies in decisions: for example the change in granting bonuses on the basis of profits between this and the previous year? Furthermore, as branches of public companies headquartered in Baghdad we are subject to double standards, such that the implementation of any one directive is interpreted one way in the South and another in Baghdad.

As such, we find ourselves compelled to take the decision to strike, despite our awareness of some of the negative effects this action might cause. We resort to this action as a means to press the Ministry officials to apply a single and fair set of standards to all, and correct the problems referred to in our previous statement. Even as we take this action, no one else will be more mindful of guarantying the production potential and the well-maintenance of the machinery. Moreover, the realization of our just demands will reflect positively on the overall economy of Iraq, and lower the rate of unemployment.

We hereby vow to our members and to our dignified and long-suffering people to persevere until their demands for equality, justice and freedom from oppression are satisfied. The following is the list of our demands.

1- Resolve the issue of the parcels of land property in sector 52 in al-Shu’ayba belonging to the oil companies and the land property in the Tannuma area belonging to the Southern Oil Company.

2- Make a decision concerning the bonuses on the basis of profits of the oil companies according to the amendments already agreed whereby the rate of profit calculated is certified by the financial accountants of the Southern region and not according to the formula adopted by the Minister which is clearly unfair to our membership.

3- Approval of unused ordinary vacations and accumulated vacations exceeding 180 days. There is no justification for withholding any of these vacations. We also believe that the resolution issued by the State Advisory Council is not binding, for lack of legal foundation. We insist that there be no salary deductions for vacation days granted in the previous years, given that these vacations were granted with the approval and direction of Dr. Chalabi at the time.

4- Granting full time status to temporary workers, notwithstanding the length of service. This subject should be approached with humanity. At any rate, these workers are Iraqi nationals who have the right to live and work in this country.

5- Hiring the graduates of the last two graduating classes of the Oil Institute.

6- Reconsideration of the new unified payment schedule on the grounds that it is detrimental to the interests of the workers in the oil sector.

7- Appointment of holders of intermediate school certificates at the second rank on a par with the graduates of basic training from the oil institutes and of colleagues dismissed for political reasons, and dealing with the frozen work rankings, which should be raised to the third rank.

8- Rescind the 20% deduction paid to the Ministry of Defense and return the previous years' deductions to our membership.

9- We demand the actualization of the decision to transfer ownership of public housing units occupied by our members to the tenants, on a par with the employees of other state-owned agencies. We deem the stalling policy inappropriate and applying a double standard to the oil sector in the South.

10- Solve the pay and certificate problems at the Iraqi Oil Transport Company and drop the charges pending against them in the Anti-Corruption Office.

11- Reinstate in all respects the special allocations granted in oil companies which were done away with in 2005.

12- Concede administrative and financial autonomy to the branches of companies headquartered in Baghdad.

13- Scrutinize the performance of the Ministry of Oil officials from top to bottom.

14- Submit the draft of the new oil law for our union to study; we have reservations and questions concerning it.

15- Repeal the increases in fuel prices in view of their generally negative effect on citizens.

16- Medical examination and treatment for oil sector employees [some missing words], especially those inhabiting areas targeted with depleted uranium ordnance during the latest bouts of war and those afflicted by chronic cancerous diseases, and paying for the treatment whether in this country or abroad.

And may peace and God's mercy and blessing be upon you

Iraqi Federation of Oil Unions

Open Letter to US Congress and European Parliament

Open Letter to the Members of he US Congress who Oppose the War on Iraq

To members of the European Parliaments who Oppose the War

Peace be upon you and greetings to you all,

We wish to clarify certain matters relating to events in Iraq for our friends among the members of the US Congress. It is common knowledge that the occupation spared neither the old nor the young, and that Iraq is passing through the most difficult of times because all and sundry are hounding it and covet a share of its riches. We see no good reason for linking the passing of the feeble Iraqi oil law to the withdrawal of the occupation troops from Iraq.

Everyone knows that the oil law does not serve the Iraqi people, and that it serves Bush, his supporters and the foreign companies at the expense of the Iraqi people who have been wronged and deprived of their right to their oil despite enduring all difficulties.

We ask our friends not to link withdrawal with the oil law, especially since the USA claimed that it came to Iraq as a liberator and not in order to control Iraq’s resources.

The general public in Iraq is totally convinced that Bush wants to rush the promulgation of the oil law so as to be leaving Iraq with a victory of sorts, because his project is failing every day and the occupation is collapsing in all parts of Iraq.

We wish to see you take a true stance for the children of Iraq, and we always say that history will remember those who advance peace over war.

With my regards,

Hassan Jum’a Awwad
Head of the Iraqi Federation of Oil Unions

List of IFOU Strike Demands

Official Letter Accouncing Strike Demands as Submitted to the Ministry of Oil by the IFOU

In the name of God the most merciful and graceful
(Seal)
Iraqi Federation of Oil Unions
www.basraoilunion.org

Date Reference 2007

His Excellency The Oil Minister
Subject: Entitlements

Sincere Salutations

It was our hope, after the fall of that statue, to witness the dawn of a new era marked by the recognition of the legitimate rights of our members in the oil sector. This sector that for so long has suffered injustice and been denied equity. Since the advent of this new era, we focused our efforts into effectively thwarting all attempts to exploit this sector and tamper with our resources. You have been informed of how we stalled foreign companies in their attempts to control our oil fields and refineries, and how we forced them to leave. In addition, we worked hand in hand with the ministries and agencies to accelerate the pace of oil production, and to safeguard the means of production, and raise awareness amongst workers of investing to boost the chances of success for the new era. Unfortunately, our demands for entitlements were ignored, despite four years of continued promises by ministry and government officials. In fact, we took our demands to the highest levels of the government.

We kept the prime minister apprized of our demands, but were disappointed when we came to realize that our demands fell on deaf ears. Throughout this period we worked to defuse anger and resentment and address criticism leveled by our members who mistakenly thought of us as the ones failing to put forth their legitimate demands. Henceforth:

After extensive deliberations, and based on the resolutions that came out of an Executive Board meeting with broad member representation on Thursday 26 April, 2007 at the Gas Corporation's premises in Basra, a strike was unanimously adopted, scheduled for May 10, 2007 in all the company's branches in the south and in the following provinces Basra/Missan Dhi Kar/Al Mouthnana.

The strike will go ahead, should the following demands not be completely met:

1- Make a determination on land allotment in the Shuaiba Province 52 and land distribution owned by oil companies, and the parcel in the Tannouma area, a property of the Southern Oil Company

2- Make a determination on oil companies' profits margins on the basis of the amendments to which you agreed and to determine those margins according to the certification/attestation from the south region financial/tax jurisdictions, not according to the formula adopted by the Minister that has been deemed detrimental to our membership.

3- Approval of accumulated ordinary unused vacations, and all vacations outstanding for more than 180 days. There is no justification for withholding any of these vacations. We also believe that the resolution issued by the State Advisory Council is not binding, for lack of legal foundation. We empathically insist that there be no salary deductions over the next few years for granted vacations days.

4- Granting full time status to temporary workers, notwithstanding the length of service but rather apply a more humanistic approach with those workers who are Iraqi nationals and who deserve a life in this country.

5- To hire new graduates of the last two classes

6- Rescind the new unified payment schedule which benefits only a very small number in the sector

7- Promote holders of elementary certificates to the next grade on par to their dismissed colleagues (for political reasons) and address the issue of stalled promotions for workers and others.

8- Rescind the 20% deduction from profits paid to the army and recovery of previous years' deductions.

9- We ask that those premises become employee-run, similar to other state-owned agencies. We deem the wait and see policy inappropriate, and we are wondering why the oil sector is treated so unfairly.

As we are stating the legitimate demands of our membership, it is our hope to obtain the support of those on whom we rely, and whom we supported with our blood in making the political process succeed. It is our hope to reinstate the rights of those who were aggrieved by Iraqi government officials, and eliminate the injustices bestowed on the southern region. We feel, up to the moment of this statement's drafting, that discrimination is continuing, and that the south is treated as the cash cow of Iraq. Our region gave so much to Iraq, but gained little in return. We would like to draw your attention to the fact that pollution in oil facilities has reached a peak, and the incidence of cancer has topped exceeded predictions. We also note, that the ministry pays little to no attention to these incidences that primarily impact the inhabitants in the southern area. We feel as if they are predestined to such a fate - to always give in vain. We are cautioning, that there is a limit to our tolerance. We ask that our demands be met. We feel that enough is enough.

Peace and grace be upon you.
Iraqi Federation of Oil Unions
4/27/2007

To: Top executives of oil companies
CC all media

Iraqi Oil Union Postpones Strike Until Monday

Breaking News: The Union has postponed the strike until Monday May 14th in order to engage in further negotiations with the authorities and employers. The Union is taking the neogitiation offers in good faith.
More news to follow.

For Immediate Release Tuesday May 8th 2007

Iraqi Oil Workers to Strike Over Privatisation Law

Iraq’s largest oil workers’ trade union will strike this Thursday, inprotest at the controversial oil law currently being considered by the Iraqi parliament. The move threatens to stop all exports from theoil-rich country.

The oil law proposes giving multinational companies the primary role in developing Iraq’s huge untapped oilfields, under contracts lasting up to 30 years. Oil production in Iraq, like in most of the Middle East, has been in the public sector since the 1970s.The Union, representing 26,000 oil workers, has held three previousstrikes since 2003, each time stopping exports, for up to two days at atime. The announcement of the strike has spurred negotiations with theMinistry of Oil, which are ongoing.

Imad Abdul-Hussain, Federation Deputy Chair of the IFOU said: "The central government must be in total ownership and complete control ofproduction and the export of oil". He warned against the controversial Production Sharing Agreements favoured by foreign companies, saying other forms of co-operation with foreign companies would be acceptable but not at the level of control and profiteering indicated in the current Oil Law.

Federation President Hassan Jumaa Awad al Assadi said: ‘The oil law does not represent the aspirations of the Iraqi people. It will let the foreign oil companies into the oil sector and enact privatisation under so called production sharing agreements. The federation calls for not passing the oil law, because it does not serve the interests of the Iraqi people."The Union is not alone in its’ condemnation of the current oil law. Opponents of the law also include all of Iraq’s other trade unions, anumber of political parties, and a group of over 60 senior Iraqi oil experts.

Hassan Jumaa went on to say: "The federation calls on all unions in the world to support our demands and to put pressure on governments and the oil companies not to enter the Iraqi oil fields."Union members are also demanding an improved salary structure and a distribution of land for building homes.

Ewa Jasiewicz of Naftana – the UK Support Committee for the IFOU said:‘The Iraqi Federation of Oil Unions, like any union, has the right to engage in collective bargaining over issues important to their members.In this case, the issue of who controls Iraq’s oil and the economic future of the country is an issue which is important to all Iraqis. The Union has repeatedly called for civil society inclusion in the drafting of the oil law and has been ignored.

They are now asserting their right to have a voice in the decision making process affecting their industry and Iraq’s economic future – their courage and commitment to democracy should be supported’.Instead of the union’s participation being welcomed, leaders have been accused of jeopardizing security and threatened with legal action.

Farouq Al-Asadi, the Federation's Secretary said: ‘The Oil Minister chooses to forget that the right to strike is guaranteed by the constitution - we have chosen the legal path’.

Union leaders have already received a number of death threats which theyare taking seriously. "As soon as the federation called for the strike,many of our members and officials were physically threatened by parties active in the political process, with the aim of thwarting the strike and undermining the message of the strike organisers."

Contacts
Hassan Jumaa Awad Al Assadi, President of the Iraqi Federation of Oil Unions 00964 7801 001 196 or 00964 7804 114 619

Southern Oil Company main switchboard 009644(0)319 310 (Union ext 045) www.basraoilunion.org

Sami Ramadani, lecturer and writer and member of Naftana – UK SupportCommittee for the IFOU 0044 7863 138 748
sami.ramadani@londonmet.ac.uk

Ewa Jasiewicz, Naftana UK Support Group for the IFOU and Hands Off IraqiOil Campaign 0044 7749 421 576 freelance@mailworks.org www.handsoffiraqioil.org

Notes

The IFOU is an independent trade union representing workers across 4 southern provinces in Iraq: Misan, Dhi Qar, Basra and Mauthanna in nine oil and gas related companies.The Union has been organizing since April 2003 and has stopped oil exports and production over wages and workers rights in the past. It has also held protests against oil smuggling, former regime bosses and what the union sees as the deliberate neglect and degradation of the industry in order to justify privatisation. Union members have carried out reconstruction work on drilling rigs,port equipment, pipelines and refineries since the invasion with minimal, mostly local resources.

The Union is not linked to any political party in Iraq but has members which belong to various parties.

The Union enjoys the support of trade unions and civil society organizations around the world including the International Confederation of Energy, Mining and General Workers Union (ICEM), the AFL-CIO in the US, and the Trade Unions Congress (TUC) in the UK including the NUJ and TGWU.

The union is partnered with UK development charity War on Want,the 3 milllion strong US Labor Against War in the USA, and Italian NGOUn Ponte Per