Excessive violence against labour protestors in Iraq5 June, 2024On 2 June 2024, Iraqi security forces escalated their violence against contract workers at the South Refineries Company, who were peacefully protesting for permanent contracts. The brutality was described as "deadly" by Iraqi unions.
Strengthening union organization in Iraq’s oil and gas sector9 April, 2024The first founding congress to elect the leadership of the Basra branch of the General Federation of Oil, Gas and Petrochemical Unions in Iraq (GFOGPUI) was held on 9 March under the slogan: Organizing, is the real support of the Iraqi trade union movement.
Iraqi government withdraws fuel increase proposal after workers protest15 June, 2023Workers of the South Refineries Company in Basra, Dhi Qar and Maysan, as well as workers of petroleum products companies, had protest demonstrations in front of the companies’ headquarters from 25 to 30 May.
Iraqi unions demand input on draft social security and retirement law28 March, 2023The new draft bill on social security and retirement law allows for workers to receive social services after retirement, which is not in the current law. It permits workers be represented by two members on the executive board of the social security and retirement fund. In the current law workers are represented by one member.
Alarm sounded over safety and health in Iraq's oil and gas sector 18 November, 2022Participants in a workshop on occupational safety and health in the oil and gas sector, organized by IndustriALL Global Union with the participation of a number of unions, the International Labour Organization in Iraq and the National Center of Health and Safety-Basra Branch, are sounding the alarm over the worrying situation of occupational safety and health in Iraq.
Young unionists in MENA discuss impacts of Covid-1912 April, 2021On 31 March, the MENA youth network met online for the first time since November 2019. 34 young leaders from Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine, Mauritania, Morocco, Tunisia and Bahrain shared experiences of the impact of Covid-19 on young workers and union responses.
Middle East and North Africa unions campaign for ratification of ILO C1908 January, 2021An increase in gender-based violence during the Covid-19 crisis has led unions in the region to mobilize at an unprecedented level to demand that governments ratify ILO Convention 190.
Approaches and responses to Covid-19 in MENA’s energy sector17 December, 2020The pandemic has brought a sharp drop in oil and gas prices, heavily impacting the oil and gas dependent MENA countries. IndustriALL affiliates in the energy sector met virtually on 30 November to discuss the impact of and approaches and responses to Covid-19, as well as how they tackle the energy transition that is taking place in the region.
Iraq: protest at Basra Gas Company/Shell over non-payment of salaries20 May, 2020Workers at Basra Gas Company, a joint venture where Shell holds a major stake, launched a protest on 18 May over the company’s failure to pay salaries. Around 5,000 workers seconded from South Gas Company (SGC) to Basra Gas Company (BGC) have yet to receive their salaries.
Iraqi unions: “We want bread, not bullets”31 October, 2019IndustriALL Global Union joins its Iraqi affiliates in condemning the violence and repression by security forces against people joining demonstrations protesting corruption and unemployment. Millions of Iraqis suffer from poverty, with widespread unemployment, particularly among young people.
