Martyn Jones

Labour Party | Clwyd South

MP Outlines How Trade Unionists Can Help Rebuild Iraq

A senior Welsh Labour MP is backing a TUC led campaign to re-build the trade union movement in Iraq, after decades of suppression and oppression under Saddam Hussein. MARTYN JONES MP (Clwyd South) is calling on all trade unionists to back the ‘TUC Aid Iraq Appeal’.

Under the rule of the former Iraqi dictator, Iraqi trade unions suffered greatly. In 1968, when his Ba’ath Party took sole power in Iraq, they nationalised most of the economy and prepared the ground for Saddam Hussein to become the sole source of power at the end of the 1970s. Until that point the trade unions continued to have some autonomy and power,

However, in 1987, a new labour code was introduced which redefined public sector workers as “employees” and removed their right to form trade unions. Wages were controlled by the state, unions had no role in collective bargaining, and were as often involved (according to reports) in repressing workers as in settling their complaints about mistreatment at work.

Commenting on TUC’s Iraq Aid campaign, MARTYN JONES MP said:

“The campaign and the money raised from it, will provide basic needs - like offices, phones, faxes and computers - for the fledgling trade union movement in Iraq. Any donations made will also help pay for organisers to spread the word that unions in the new Iraq are no longer an arm of the state. It will also help to promote women into leadership positions within trade unions, and also help train and educate activists about collective bargaining, labour laws and recruitment.

“I hope that Britain’s trade unions and individual trade union members will show practical solidarity with the Iraqi people in this campaign. I believe that we all have a responsibility to help make a real difference to the lives of working people in Iraq.”