Murder of Iraqi trade unionist a tragic reminder

Murder of Iraqi trade unionist a tragic reminder

The murder of Majid Karim, a member of the General Federation of Iraqi Workers on 26 November 2009 is a tragic reminder of the price many trade unionists in Iraq are still paying. Brendan Barber, TUC General Secretary wrote to David Miliband Foreign Secretary urging him to press the Iraqi Government to bring the perpetrators to justice, and to put in place a fair and just labour law, that allows all workers to enjoy their fundamental rights at work.

8 December 2009

Rt Hon David Miliband MP
Secretary of State

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Dear David,

Murder of Majid Karim, executive member of GFIW

Majid Karim, an executive member of the General Federation of Iraqi Workers (GFIW) was killed on 26 November 2009 when a bomb attached to his car exploded.

Majid was instrumental in keeping his trade union movement alive under Saddam Hussein, organising workers in the public sector despite the regime's ban on doing so. Post-Saddam, he has been a key figure in building unity among Iraqi workers and the trade union movement. We ask you to urge the Iraqi authorities to conduct an urgent investigation into this terrible act, and to ensure that the perpetrators are brought to justice.

Earlier in November, the GFIW, as part of a trade union coalition, launched a national campaign calling on the Iraqi government to implement a fair and just labour law guaranteeing all workers their fundamental rights at work. Majid died advocating for such demands and we again thank the UK government for its efforts, in particular Ann Clwyd MP, in raising the campaign demands with the Iraqi government.

Yours sincerely,

BRENDAN BARBER

General Secretary