Basra Oil Union- Troops out of Oil fields

Friday, June 08, 2007

Appeal: Hands Off Iraqi Oil Workers - model protest letters

In light of the Iraqi army continuing to surround Iraqi workers in their workplaces and the issuance of arrest warrants against Federation leaders, the union is appealing for maximum support and solidarity.We are asking people to email both the Iraqi Prime Minister and the Oil Minister and UK Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett.Here are model letters to send to Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al Maliki and Oil Minister Dr Hussein al Sharastani:

Dear Mr MalikiDear Dr Hussein al Sharastani I am writing to express support for the Iraqi Federation of Oil Unions in their right to take industrial action over issues relating to their members' economic and social welfare. I am also concerned about the decision to arrest union leaders for deciding to take strike action.I trust that the Union will not be penalised for taking action which is legal according to the Iraqi constiution and a fundamental trade union freedom recognised all over the world.I therefore ask that the arrest warrants be retracted and that the Iraqi army leaves oil sector locations.

All repressive measures against the IFOU should cease at once.The Union has also repeatedly asked for involvement in the drafting of the Hydrocarbon Law but has been ignored. Iraqi civil society should be involved in the decision making process over the future of the Iraqi economy - this includes trade unions. I will be monitoring the forthcoming news from the union and would like assurance that union members will not be harmed or punished for their actions.

Yours Sincerely,.....Embassy of Iraq, 9 Holland Villas RoadLondon W14 8BP, Telephone: 020 7602 8456 020 7935 8457/ 79351 058 Fax: 020 7602 8456 020 7589 3356 lonemb@iraqmofa.net Margaret Beckett, Foreign Secretary

Contact numbers: House of Commons (tel): 020 7219 3584 House of Commons (fax): 020 7219 4780Addresses: Constituency: c/o House of Commons 1 Parliament Street London SW1A 2NE