The TUC is supporting a campaign to defend the President of the Kirkuk Oil and Gas Workers Union, Jamal Abdul-Jabbar who has been forcibly relocated by his employers.
International union protests have prevented this sort of management harassment before.
The Northern Oil Company of Iraq has forcibly relocated Jamal to a remote location. He recently led a major walk out in support of better rights for contract workers and for a better, safer working environment.
This forced relocation is a common tactic of oil sector employers in Iraq hoping to remove union activists from their positions in the union, and deter other workers from taking action, but global pressure from unions often prevents such management bullying, so we are appealing for urgent action – not least because the International Labour Conference is taking place in Geneva and the Iraqi Government, which controls the Northern Oil Company, will be particularly sensitive to further allegations of trade union repression.
TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber has sent written to the Iraqi Embassy in London.
Please encourage union activists and contacts to protest to the Iraqi Charge d’Affaires in London and to use the Labour Start e-action.
