Brussels, 6 June 2007 (ITUC OnLine): The ITUC has joined the Global Union for Chemicals, Energy and Mineworkers, ICEM, in calling on the Iraqi authorities to negotiate peacefully with the trade union representing striking oil workers in Basra, and to refrain from arresting or otherwise intimidating the workers. The strike involving pipeline workers, members of the 26,000 Iraqi Federation of Oil Workers (IFOU), began on 4 June following an announcement by their employer that a payment which was due to the workforce would not be forthcoming. More workers joined the strike action on 5 June, following which the Iraqi military entered the oilfields and surrounded the strikers.

"The presence of the military in an industrial dispute is completely unacceptable, and can only be counterproductive", said ITUC General Secretary Guy Ryder. "The only way to resolve this is through proper negotiation, and we strongly urge the Iraqi authorities to ensure that this takes place".

The strike follows several weeks of fruitless discussions between the union and management over wages, health and safety, the use of temporary workers and the future of Iraq’s oil industry.

The ICEM, working with the ITUC, has launched a worldwide appeal asking its member organisations to support the IFOU and its members.

Founded on 1 November 2006, the ITUC represents 168 million workers in 153 countries and territories and has 304 national affiliates.

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