According to US Labor Against the War and the Iraqi Freedom Congress, a flurry of strikes and demonstrations has scored one of the most important victories for Iraqi workers since 2003.
USLAW reports: "Following days of demonstrations and strikes by thousands of workers, the Iraqi government reversed its order to cut wages by up to 30% and eliminate many industrial labor benefits".
As I understand it, the wage cuts were imposed as a result of IMF pressure to reverse a wage rise granted by the Iraqi government to public sector workers (a large proportion of Iraq's regularly-employed labour force) earlier in the summer.
USLAW continues: "The authorities agreed to direct negotiations with the representatives of the workers.
"Workers were able to achieve a number of major demands, such as stopping pay and benefit cuts, and above all advancing the demand for freedom of association and other labor rights that have been denied to Iraqi workers both under the dictatorship and by the U.S./British occupation.
"The government agreed to retroactive payment of the wage cuts put into effect and to meet with worker representatives over other issues, such as workplace hazards. The Parliament must now consider a labor rights law that recognizes, respects and protects labor rights in conformity with International Labor Organization standards".
The demand for such a labour law has been a major concern for Iraqi unions ever since 2003. Until now the Iraqi government, and the occupation, have kept on the statute book Saddam Hussein's 1987 law banning unions in the public sector.
Electricity workers' demonstration
Amjad Al-Jawhary of the Iraqi Freedom Congress reports:
Thousands of electricity workers took to the street on September 16, 2008 in Firdaws Square in Baghdad in a demonstration called and led by the General Federation of workers Councils and Unions in Iraq (GFWCUI), represented by Subhi Albadry, President of GFWCUI, and the Labor Movement Unifying Bureau, represented by Hassan Jumaa, president.
This event came as a result of the current situations as regards infrastructure (electricity that is given to people about one hour a day in particular). The workers came from different parts of Iraq to denounce the government's performance, especially that of the minister of electricity; the corruption and the neglect of this sector and its employees by the current government; as well as the banning of freedom of association.
Although the security forces were surrounding the area where the event took place, and prevented many other workers from joining the rally, the participants were able to voice their demands that were:
1. The dismissal of the Minister of Electricity Karim Wahid and his inner-circle
2. Bringing all corrupt officials and employees to justice
3. Hiring professional staff who are immune from sectarianism
4. The return of the political prisoners to their jobs
5. Giving the workers who are on contract a permanent position.
The Labor Movement Unifying Bureau consists of General Union of Oil Workers, General Union of Electricity Workers, the Union of Rail Workers and GFWCUI. It was formed in 2007, headed by Hassan Jumaa and his vice president Abuwatan, as a step towards unifying as many unions as possible to form a confederation that include all workers in Iraq.