Iraqi railworkers demand security benefit

Submitted by Matthew on 19 January, 2011 - 9:37

Iraqi railworkers who work on the railways heading south from Baghdad are fighting for pay increases and security benefits after several workers died in explosions on the track.

The railway, which heads south from Baghdad to Samawah, crosses a particularly dangerous territory in which armed gangs are active. Instead of providing adequate security for the trains and their workers, railway bosses have attempted to pay off the gangs themselves.

Falah Alwan, president of the Federation of Workers’ Councils and Unions in Iraq, said “railway workers have been suffering from mines and explosions. The authorities instructed tribal gangs to provide security for the railways. Tribal gangs are getting huge amounts of money from the authorities but they don’t really provide security; eight train drivers have been killed in the last few months because of explosions.

“The specific demands of the railway workers were, first, to ensure security and ask the authorities to take their responsibilities directly. The final demand was security benefits, because they are facing dangers in every day and every hour on their way from Baghdad to Basra. Before the strike was held, the authorities agreed to negotiate with the workers so the workers didn’t hold their strike. They are waiting for an answer from the administration.”

AWL will be organising solidarity from railway workers in the UK and releasing more information on the dispute as we receive it. If you’d like to help us in these efforts, email skillz_999@hotmail.com.

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