Protest against Iraqi Government threats to teaching union

Protest against Iraq Government threats to teaching union

With the Iraqi government still threatening to take control of the Iraqi Teachers Union (ITU), the ITU is holding a national day of protest tomorrow (Saturday). Show your support for the ITU by telling the Iraqi government that its actions are unacceptable. Sign the petition at: http://www.labourstart.org/itu

TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber has today written to the Deputy Prime Minister Al Issawi, calling on him to drop the threats against the ITU and to push for the enactment of a national labour law that allows unions to operate independently and democratically.

27 March 2009

Dear Deputy Prime Minister Al Issawi,

Government threats against the Iraqi Teachers Union

The TUC is alarmed to learn that your government is still threatening to take over the Iraqi Teachers Union (ITU).

We strongly protest against the demand of the Iraqi Government's Higher Ministerial Committee that the ITU conduct a fresh round of elections without the current leadership being able to stand. The ITU has rightly refused this demand, having democratically elected a leadership recently. Now this government body is demanding control of the union - from the keys to its headquarters, to membership and other records. It has also threatened to apply for criminal charges to be laid against the leadership. These threats are a serious breach of the international law of freedom of association. They violate ILO convention 87 and Article 39 of the Iraqi constitution.

That is why the TUC has joined the global condemnation against these threats and firmly supports its sisters and brothers in the ITU during their national day of protest tomorrow.

This blatant interference in union affairs can only happen because your government is still relying on Saddam-era laws to regulate trade unions. We call on you, as head of the Ministerial Committee to drop the threats against the ITU and push for the enactment of a national labour law that allows unions to operate independently and democratically.

Taking these steps will not only save Iraq's international reputation, it will allow trade unions to be an even stronger force for peace and prosperity in your country.

Yours sincerely,

BRENDAN BARBER

General Secretary