Baghdad, Iraq – Labor unions in Iraq have come together to denounce the violent tactics used by security forces to disperse protesters demanding permanent jobs. The joint statement from IndustriALL affiliates highlighted the use of rubber bullets and electric batons, resulting in severe injuries and arrests among male and female protesters.
The General Federation of Oil, Gas, and Petrochemical Unions in Iraq (GFOGPUI), along with the General Union of Oil Workers and General Union of Energy in Iraq, expressed their solidarity with the protesting contract workers at the South Refineries Company, a part of the Ministry of Oil. These workers have been demonstrating for weeks to secure permanent employment, facing arrests and forceful intervention from security forces.
The unions hold the security services accountable for the harm inflicted on the protesters and demand the immediate release of those detained. They are also calling for the establishment of a high-level investigative committee to examine the excessive use of force by security forces.
President of GFOGPUI, Hassan Jumaa, emphasized the workers’ just demands for permanent contracts and condemned the violence against peaceful protesters. Meanwhile, Abdelkareem Abdelsada, president of the General Union of Energy in Iraq, urged the security authorities to protect the protesters and release those who were unjustly arrested.
Shaker Barad, president of the General Union of Oil Workers, pointed out the neglectful actions of the company’s management, holding them responsible for escalating tensions. The management allegedly failed to submit a list of workers eligible for permanent contracts to the Ministry of Oil, leading to frustration among the workforce.
In support of the protesting workers, IndustriALL general secretary, Atle Høie, criticized the violent attacks on peaceful demonstrators, calling it a violation of the right to free expression and peaceful protest. Høie stressed the need for those responsible to be held accountable and for the injured workers to receive justice. The unions remain steadfast in their demands for fair treatment and are committed to advocating for the rights of all workers in Iraq.