Iraqi Civil Society Solidarity Initiative

The Iraqi Civil Society Solidarity Initiative (ICSSI) is dedicated to bringing together Iraqi and international civil societies through concrete actions to build together another Iraq, with peace and Human Rights for all.

Workers’ Rights and Freedom of Association

Welcome to the Workers’ Rights and Freedom of Association Campaign!

Who we are:  We are a coalition of local and international unions organizing international efforts for a new labor law.

Our Challenge: Iraqi workers face threats, fines, demotions, travel restrictions, and arrest as they work to organize trade unions. The government frequently interferes in internal union affairs. Suppression of workers’ rights has been most severe in the oil sector. Lack of a just labor law, consistent with internationally recognized workers’ rights, is the largest obstacle the Iraqi labor movement faces. Iraq’s current labor law, which dates back to Saddam’s era, classifies most Iraqi workers as civil servants and prohibits them from forming unions. ICSSI members have pledged to work together to pressure the Iraqi parliament to pass a new labor law with the modifications to the draft law that were previously agreed upon by Iraqi labor leaders.

Objectives of the Campaign: We support local workers in their actions, demonstrations and calls to the Iraqi government and oil companies for just and fair policies. We call on labor movements outside Iraq to organize broad international support for our efforts to win this new labor law. More generally, we want to make information accessible about Workers Rights in Iraq.

Ways you can get Involved:

  • Explore Document and Resources relating to workers’ rights.
  • Stay up to date with the Latest News about our actions and about workers’ rights.
  • Find all the latest news from unions supporting workers’ rights in Iraq here.
  • ‘Like’ our Campaign Page on Facebook and share it with friends.
  • Join our Facebook Group.
  • Sign a petition calling on the Iraqi Government to drop charges against oil union leaders, to end repression of unions and respect workers’ rights here.
Related documentary films:
  • Solidarity with Hassan Juma:

 

 Hassan Juma’a thanks the international unions and the ICSSI

Our Partners: