Wednesday, December 10, 2003

Iraq: Unions = Terrorism?

More news from the labor front in Iraq. On December 6, dozens of US troops in ten armoured cars raided the Iraqi Federation of Trade Unions temporary headquarters in Baghdad, smashing windows, seizing documents, and even tearing down posters and banners condemning terrorism. Eight IFTU leaders were arrested, but were released the following day, unharmed.

No reason or explanation was given for the raid.

Labourstart is organizing a letter-writing campaign to the Bush Administration asking them to investigate this incident and to respect international law which requires occupying powers to respect the rights of workers to form free and independent trade unions.