News of the Campaign "Against the occupation and for Labor Rights in Iraq"

"Against ethnic divisions, the union must gather the workers based on their economic identity."

ILC INTERNATIONAL NEWSLETTER  NO. 72

A dossier of weekly information published by the International Liaison Committee of Workers and Peoples
(March 30, 2004)
 

In the tradition of welcome and solidarity of the Swiss workers' movement in regard to international workers' organizations, a meeting took place on March 15, 2004 between the delegation of the campaign "Against the occupation and for labor rights in Iraq" and those of the Steelworkers and Watchmakers union (FTMH) of Geneva, in the offices of this federation. We publish excerpts from the discussion below.

Khadje El Husaini, trade unionist from Lebanon: "I represent the International Confederation of Arab Trade Unions. I would like to thank the ILC and the American union coalition USLAW for permitting this meeting and this discussion. The unification of the workers' movement against the ethnic divisions is very important. In view of the dangerous period that we are living today, we must declare our solidarity against the tyrannical current that confronts Iraqi workers. If one speaks of working conditions, living conditions, if one speaks of unemployment, these are the points on which workers rely regardless of their origin. The role of their union is to gather the workers based only on their economic identity.

Falah Alwan: "The principal bulwark against ethnic division is the existence of union organizations that unite workers whatever their language or religion. There will not be a division if the workers are free to constitute organizations of their choice.

At present, regardless of their ethnic origin, what is important for the workers is the condition to see change, to be able to live according to their needs, to defend their working and living conditions. The fact that there is unemployment; these are the points that unite workers regardless of their origin. It is the role of the union to gather workers based on their economic identity.

 

March 30. 2004

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