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10 October, 2011
We have been informed by the Federation of Workers Councils Unions of Iraq (FWCUI) of two particularly difficult disputes in the country.
Firstly we understand that in the Iraqi Kurdistan Region 174 workers in the Taq Taq Oil Operation Company, jointly owned by Genel Enerji and Addax Petroleum International have submitted a complaint against the company expressing their concern over working conditions and a complete lack of equality for Kurdish workers.
Workers are concerned at the complete absence of hazard protection in the workplace where the constant danger of hydrogen sulphide gas is said to threaten the workers lives. There is also said to be significant discrimination in treatment between the Kurdish and expatriate workers in terms of safety equipment and clothing provided as well as in both food and rest facilities. Indeed we are informed that in scenes reminiscent of the apartheid era in South Africa expatriate workers have access to training and sports halls in their free time that local workers are refused access to and their living accommodation and restrooms are far inferior to those enjoyed by the expatriates. Expatriate worker wages are also considerably higher than those paid to Kurdish workers, many of whom are university and institute graduates.
The union is calling upon the company and the Kurdistan Regional Government to guarantee equal treatment at work.
FWCUI has also informed us of severe difficulties at the facilities of the Northern Fertilizer Company, around 220km north of Baghdad. This company employs approximately 2400 workers and has recently been privatized. The company produces chemical fertilizers. Since privatisation, according to FWCUI and their Salah ad-Din branch structures, workers have faced massive deterioration of their working conditions. They are forced to work additional hours, numerous worker benefits have been unilaterally cancelled and the employer denies their rights to join a trade union.
Despite these attacks workers there have organized a committee, affiliated to FWCUI, and are now finding it impossible to hold union elections inside the company, they will be holding their elections in FWCUI's office.
We salute the bravery of Iraqi workers, continuing to organise despite being faced with widespread employer attacks against a background of viciously anti-trade union legislation from the Saddam-era. We will keep you informed of these particular disputes as we receive further information.