Info@uuiraq.org

Why the Union of Unemployed in Iraq- UUI ?

Facing widespread unemployment, deprivation, hunger and the indifference of the USA civil administration toward the plight of the masses in Iraq, on May 1,2003 a group of labour activists founded the Union of the Unemployed in Iraq-UUI.Over 150,000 unemployed people have joined the UUI and its membership is growing very rapidly. The UUI has opened offices in several major cities including Baghdad, Nasiriyah and Kirkuk.

The Union of Unemployed in Iraq Demands:

… Jobs or US$100 a month as unemployment insurance for every unemployed person.

… The UUI is given a role in distributing humanitarian aid, which reach Iraq.

… The UUI is given a role in allocating jobs, which are provided in Iraq.

… The UUI to be officially recognized by the USA civil administration as the representative of unemployed people in Iraq.

The UUI has organized many demonstrations pressing for these demands and to draw attention to the plight of millions of workers who have lost their jobs as the result of the USA war on Iraq. These included: thousands in Kirkuk on June 12; 7,000 in Nasiryiah on July 3 - this demonstration came under attack by the Islamic groups; thousands in Baghdad on July 3.

After three months of regular protests and a series of negotiations with the USA civil administration the UUI decide to launch a sit-in as the administration had been procrastinating.

… July 29, Baghdad - UUI organized a demonstration where 1000 people marched towards the former Presidential Palace where the American civil administration is currently stationed, demanding jobs or unemployment insurance of $100 for each unemployed person. At the end of the march, the protesters staged a sit-in in front of the Palace.

… July 30 - US forces attacked the sit-in protest and arrested Qasim Haadi, the President of the UUI and 18 other members of the Union. The US forces brutally assaulted and beat up the arrestees. Another round of negotiations started. In this meeting, the representatives of the unemployed workers insisted on the immediate release of all arrestees, their right to protest without any coercion or hindrance by the American forces, and assurances that their demands will be met. On the same day, the Americans released all the arrestees.

… August 2 - the USA forces again arrested Qasim Hadi and 54 other members in an attempt to end the UUI's sit-in. Under huge pressure locally and internationally, the USA forces released these arrestees.

… August 7, - the 10^th day of its sit-in in front of the USA civil administrationˆs office in Baghdad, the UUI organized another demonstration, where hundreds participated. In further negotiations the UUI delegation demanded that the UUI plays a significant role in allocating the 300000 jobs that the USA has promised to provide across the country by the end of August. The delegation also demanded that it is given a significant role in distributing humanitarian aid. The USA authorities promised to study the demands and reply to the UUIˆs leadership on August 13.

… August 12 - To step up the pressure on the USA administration, the UUI organised a rally in front of the USA administrationˆs office (former Republic Palace) where hundreds took part. The response of the USA civil administration was vague and elusive, therefore the UUIˆs leadership decided to stop negotiation with the USA civil administration and increase pressure on it.

… August 23 - the UUI organized another demonstration in Baghdad where hundreds of men and women participated. The UUIˆs sit-in continues since 29^th July 2003. The UUI plan to step up the pressure on the USA administration internationally through the organizations of the Worker Communist Party of Iraq.

… The Union of Unemployed in Iraq ended its 45 days of Strike in Bagdad on 13.September 2003 in a ceremony with participation of hundreds of its members and representative of humanitarian and political organisation and parties. In this celebration, there were also live music and theatre shows.

The struggle of UUI in Iraq needs the support and solidarity of progressive people worldwide. The UUI calls on the civilized humanity, all labour, left and human right organizations and progressive individuals to put pressure on the USA authorities to meet the UUIˆs demands, stop oppressing its struggle and to respect the right of the Iraqi people to establish their own regime by sending letters of protest to the USA civil administration in Iraq. The UUI also calls on all of you to send letters of support to the UUIˆs and raise fund for the labour movement in Iraq.

Union of Unemployed in Iraq-UUI

Mr. Qasim Hadi , President of UUI
Email/ info@uuiraq.org
Webpage: www.uuiraq.org
Contact us in Switzerland:Aso Jabbar
Representative Abroad of the
Union of Unemployed in Iraq UUI
Tel / 0041 78 882 55 89
Email/asojabbar@yahoo.com

Adress/
Aso Jabbar - UUI
Post.Box 325
CH-3000 Bern 11
Switzerland