The war in Iraq has created huge suffering for the Iraqi people. Workers are caught in the crossfire of violence, and scant regard is paid to workers' basic rights. Oil workers have not only become military targets, but also suffer appalling working conditions with minimal safety equipment. War on Want supports the Iraq Federation of Oil Unions based in Basra in their campaign against the hugely unpopular privatisation of Iraqi oil and their struggle to improve working conditions for oilworkers.
Oil is the most important natural resource in Iraq, bringing in huge amounts of revenue. Yet while the Iraqi people struggle to rebuild their nation amidst constant violence, Iraqi oil is being sold off behind closed doors to foreign multinationals.
The overwhelming majority of Iraqis are opposed to the privatisation of their oil, yet the government has denied that privatisation is actually taking place. What’s more, the contracts being signed exempt companies from new laws which could affect their profits, so they can continue to subject their workers to inhumane working conditions which place their health and safety at risk.
The Iraqi oilworkers union is based in Basra, one of the poorest areas of Iraq. The situation for the oilworkers in the region is worsened by the fact that the US used depleted uranium extensively in and around the oil fields during the first Gulf War, which continues to damage Iraqis’ health and places people's lives at risk.
War on Want supports the oilworkers union in their fight against privatisation and their campaign for international solidarity for the plight of the oilworkers. Posters are being distributed, educational materials produced, and public meetings held to raise awareness amongst the Iraqi people of the issues surrounding oil privatisation and working conditions in the industry.
| The Facts |
- There are 18,000 oilworkers in Basra
- Trade unions are prohibited in the oil sector
- The embargo that followed the 1st Gulf War prevented access to medical treatment for the problems caused by such toxic weapons
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 |  | Stop the theft of Iraq's oil
Help us to ensure that Iraq is not robbed of its resources at its time of greatest need and donate to our appeal. | |
