Iraqi Workers Declare Victory

[babylonsister]

http://www.afterdowningstreet.org/?q=node/23523

Iraqi Workers Declare Victory
Submitted by davidswanson on Mon, 2007-06-11 15:56. Nonviolent Resistance

www.uslaboragainstwar.org

Below is the full translation of a message received today, Monday 11 June 2007, from Hassan Juma'a, president of the Federation of Oil Union (IFOU) declaring a tactical victory in the ongoing struggle of Iraqi oil workers.

On behalf of Naftana, we would like to extend our thanks to all, from across the world, who have campaigned and written to express solidarity with the oil workers and the IFOU. Naftana will continue to relay news of the oil workers in their struggle to improve living and working conditions, assert trade union rights and protect Iraq's oil from the proposed oil law, championed by the occupation governments. Naftana*

Full text of message:

"Warm greetings, We would like to inform you of the latest developments in the oil workers strike in the south.

Finally the workers have won in demanding their legitimate rights. That is why an enlarged meeting was held with his excellency the minister of State for the Parliament Affairs lasting five hours resulting in the cessation of all the failings resulting from the conduct of the Iraqi Ministry of Oil and the irresponsible stance of the oil minister. Most of the issues within the remit of the prime minister were dealt with.

The meeting was very successful, because the minister represented the prime minister. The activation of the committee formed by the prime minister to deal with the outstanding problems was affirmed. And after deliberations within our union, the two sides agreed to halt the strike and to use dialogue in dealings to resolve the outstanding issues. On the other hand, all problems were presented to His Eminence Sayyid Sistani, and the Iraqi ministry of oil was reprimanded for its improper conduct.

Therefore, we would like to say to all that the workers will is indestructible. The workers can achieve what they want by the means available to them and their strength. And the oil workers are very strong, because they have a legitimate right. The workers have scored a third victory in demanding their rights.

Long live the Iraqi working class.

Regards, Hassan Juma'a Awwad

Sami Ramadani ­ 07863 138748 [e-mail]
Kamil Mahdi ­ [e-mail]
Sabah Jawad ­ 07985 336886 [e-mail]

Naftana is an independent UK-based committee supporting democratic trade
unionism in Iraq. It works in solidarity with the IFOU. It strives to
publicise the union’s struggle for Iraqi social and economic rights and
its stand against the privatisation of Iraqi oil demanded by the occupying
powers. For more information see the IFOU’s website www.basraoilunion.org

[Bruce McAuley]

1. Looks like bad news for the Hydrocarbon Law...

The oil workers have Iraq's best interests in mind, and they do NOT want Exxon taking their oil and jobs.
I hope they keep the pressure up on the Oil Ministry and members of Parliament to not pass the Oil Theft Law.
Let Bush stew...

Bruce

[Psyop Samurai]

2. Ya know, I'm really starting to love these Iraqi oil workers...

I mean, here we are...

a criminally insane oil mafia having overthrown the government of the United States...,

having turned its military into a pirate armada and launched a world-wide campaign of plunder and murder...,

bribing, threatening and intimidated governments the world over....,

and somehow - bless their hearts - these Iraqi oil workers didn't get the memo! They are somehow under the impression that Iraqi resources belong to Iraq!!!

That blows my mind! And you know what? - good for them!!! I say, let's ALL become "as little children" and give the oil workers our wholehearted support. Let's strive to be like them. Let's pretend.

I'm beginning to think that's the only way the Beast will die - through sheer exhaustion, 'cause the darn kids are everywhere, and they just won't cooperate. God knows no grown-ups are gonna stand up to the Beast. So, to hell with all the sham political theater. Let's be creative; let's be kids again.