IraqIraqwww.socialistworld.net, 07/06/2004
website of the committee for a workers' international, CWI
Compiled by Hugh Caffrey. New windows.
socialistworld.net
The US AFL-CIO trade union federation has for months been assisting the CIA in channelling funds to build “partnership” between unions and bosses in Iraq (as previously reported on this website.) Teachers in California oppose this outrageous treachery – their resolution text online.
US occupation lures workers from India and elsewhere with the promise of a small fortune working in Iraq. When these workers arrive, they are used as virtual slaves; cleaning toilets for the occupation troops on half the pay they were promised.
Away from the policies of pre-dawn terrifying sweeps, systematic and abhorrent prisoner abuse and "imprecise" bombings of civilian Iraqi homes, the U.S. occupation troops have recently embarked on a policy of storming and attacking mosques, making Iraqis even more bewildered and angry.
The Southern Oil Company workers’ union won a number of important victories in the last few months. The union has won wages three times that of the CPA minimum and defeated attempts to import labour. This article gives some information on their struggle though the history of the Iraqi labour movement is sketchy.
Committee for a Workers' International
PO Box 3688, London E11 1YE, Britain, Tel: ++ 44 20 8988 8760, Fax: ++ 44 20 8988 8793, cwi@worldsoc.co.uk