 |
 |
|
|
|
Union Aid Abroad
Chairperson: S. Moait
APHEDA
23 June 2008
To Australian unions,
With the USA-backed administration in Iraq striving to hand over the nationally-owned oil wealth of the country to four large Western companies, without competitive bids, the situation for unions in Iraq is vitally important. Unions, though still in the main illegal in Iraq, are one of the only hopes that the different political, ethnic and religious groups can come together peacefully to democratically exercise national self-determination, and to retain the country’s resources for its working peoples.
The AusIraq group has been raising funds for the three larger federations in Iraq: the General Federation of Workers of Iraq (GFWI), the General Federation of Workers Councils and Unions in Iraq (GFWCUI), and the Iraqi Federation of Oil Unions (IFOU). Union Aid Abroad – APHEDA has received funds donated in our overseas project ledgers and has sent the funds through to the unions, via the ITUC office in Amman or through external representatives in Europe.
You may have recently met with Kathy Black from the US Labor Against the War organisation (http://uslaboragainstwar.org/index.php) and
(https://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/2488/t/3434/shop/custom.jsp?donate_page_KEY=3656)
Along with the AusIraq group, USLAW are among groups in many countries raising funds for a First International Labour Solidarity Conference in Iraq, later this year, to be supported by many of the key democratic unions in Iraq. http://www.workerstoday.com/english/
AusIraq and the Iraqi unions need funds for this Conference, but are also hoping a delegation can take part from Australia.
We will be happy to ensure that if your union donates funds for this purpose, we can give a tax deductible receipt and hold the funds in a specific ledger to be transferred to the conference organisers.
We understand some unions are hoping to invite a visit later this year to Australia by Iraq union leaders, and as this plan progresses, we’ll be happy to co-operate in this as well,
In Solidarity,
Peter Jennings,
Executive Officer
AUSTRALIAN PEOPLE FOR HEALTH, EDUCATION AND DEVELOPMENT ABROAD INC.
THE HUMANITARIAN AID AGENCY OF THE ACTU
Tel: +61 (02) 9264 9343 Fax: +61 (02) 9261 1118 Email: office@apheda.org.au Website: www.apheda.org.au
ABN 76 425 451 089 Level 3, 377– 383 Sussex St, Sydney NSW 2000 Australia