Iraq unions may strike over Oil Ministry

BASRA, Iraq, Aug. 1 (UPI) -- Oil workers in Basra, Iraq, say they'll respond to the Oil Ministry's anti-union rhetoric with protests and possibly strikes.

Oil Minister Hussain al-Shahristani told UPI the unions are not legitimate, and the ministry has issued a letter ordering its agencies and state businesses not to deal with the unions.

"Shahristani's decision has been rejected by the union because it is the same type of decision as used by the old regime regarding laborers and workers," Hassan Juma'a Awad, president of the Iraqi Federation of Oil Unions, told the Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper.

Saddam Hussein outlawed worker organizing in the public sector; subsequent U.S. occupying powers and now the Iraqi government do not recognize the workers' rights to organize.

"There are no legal unions in Iraq," Shahristani told UPI last week by phone from Baghdad. "Those people who call themselves representatives of the oil workers have not been elected to the position."

In a July 18 letter obtained by UPI, the ministry's general director, Laith Abd Al Hussein AL Shahir, wrote to the ministry's companies, such as the state firms in the north and south of the country, as well as research, development and training centers based in Baghdad, Baiji, Basra and Kirkuk: "In no way is it permitted for them to use the offices, instruments or equipment of the companies as they do not enjoy any legal status to work in the public sector," the letter stated, giving recipients two weeks to implement the directive.

Despite that, workers have come together and leveraged their power. Since 2003 they've blocked numerous attempts to privatize management of both oil and other facilities and stopped work over disputes -- most recently early last month over the oil law and other unmet demands.

The unions are calling for Shahristani to resign or be fired.