IFOU Statement on Attack by Minister of Oil

August 20th 2008

In the name of God the gracious the merciful

Statement

It is clear to everyone that the bygone dictatorial regime worked diligently to confront worker's unions by invalidating them in the public sector in accordance to decree number 150 issued in the year 1987. After the fall of the regime, activist workers from the oil sector reconstituted their unions.

The foundation was laid out by the Southern Oil Company, and later spread to all oil sector companies. The union has lead many strikes in all oil companies in order to expel foreigners from the oil sector. This lead to the formation of the Federation of Oil Unions with two main goals regarding the oil sector:

1- To maintain Iraq's oil wealth

2- To struggle for workers' rightsThe union has organized scientific conferences discussing the situation of the oil sector of which the first and second scientific conferences against privatization were held in the years 2005 and 2006 respectively.

Preparations are still underway to hold the third such conference and to confront the passage of the oil and gas law, which lies under American administration pressure. Consequently, a symposium to discuss this law was held on February 6th 2007.

The Federation of Oil Unions, which is leading the struggle of the working class in the oil sector in order for the workers to receive their rights and in order to protect Iraq's oil wealth, is currently being subjected to a vicious attack headed by the Minister of Oil.

The minister has issued decree number 12774 on July 18th 2007 banning union work [management working with or recognizing unions], using false pretexts based on decree number 150 that was issued in 1987 by the dictatorial regime.

The position of the minister contradicts all conventions of the International Labor Organization, especially relating to the "freedom of union work" which was signed by Iraq and should therefore abide by it.

This position is due to our union's position towards the American imperialistic project known as the oil and gas law. We view this law as an illegal way to seize the wealth of Iraqis without any economical or political excuse.

We call on all labor and vocational unions and all political movements to join our union in solidarity and to sign this statement which condemns the decision of the minister of oil. We call on him to withdraw his decree.

This is what all unions and movements demand and desire since our union is an integral part of the national Iraqi movement.May God be of assistance.

The Federation of Oil Unions