Murder of Iraqi textile workers is barbaric

Murder of Iraqi textile workers is barbaric

Last week, as workers left their textile factory in Hilla, Iraq, a bomb was detonated, killing some 40 workers and injuring dozens of others. TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber has today written to his counterpart at the General Federation of Iraqi Workers (GFIW) denouncing this horrible act of terrorism, and conveying the sympathy and solidarity of the British trade union movement.

18 May 2010

Rasim al-Awadi, President, GFIW

Dear Brother Rasim,

Message of solidarity against the 10 May bombings

On behalf of the TUC, its 58 affiliated unions and 6.3 million members, let me convey our deepest condolences for those workers from the Hilla textile factory who were killed in the terrorist bombing on 10 May as they left work for the day.

Our deepest sympathies are with the family and friends of the more than 40 workers who were killed, and with the dozens injured. This must be one of the worst crimes ever committed against the workers of Iraq, and sadly there have been many such crimes.

We stand with our Iraqi sisters and brothers in condemning this barbaric attack and the recent spate of others like it. No resource should be spared in bringing the perpetrators to justice. It is a tragic reminder of just how urgently Iraq needs a stable, non-sectarian government, who can put in place the laws and policies to enable ordinary Iraqis to live and work in dignity, peace and freedom. In the struggle to achieve this, we stand resolutely with you.

In solidarity,

BRENDAN BARBER

General Secretary, Trades Union Congress