The opposition of the Iraqi people to the Hydrocarbon Law, also known as the Iraqi Oil Law, has been ratcheted up another notch today. The Iraqi Federation of Oil Unions joined with the Iraqi Anti-Oil Law Front for a press conference in Basra to deliver a message to the Bush administartion Iraqi parliament. The message? "Pass the Oil Law and we shut down the oil piepline!" Anyone want to bet how long would it last before they're referred to as insurgents?
more after the jump...
As we are all aware, the pressure being put on the members of the Iraqi parliament to commit suicide pass the Hydrocarbon Law has been tremendous. It is my personal belief that the month-long hiatus taken in August had everything to do with escaping this pressure and maybe, just maybe, prolonging their lives. Yesterday, Oil Minister Hussein al-Shahristani upped the ante.
DUBAI, Sept 8 (Reuters) - Iraq will issue tenders for international oil companies to develop its existing fields this year, even if a long-awaited new law to regulate the energy sector is delayed, Oil Minister Hussein al-Shahristani said.
"Although we have been waiting for this new law for political reasons, if it is delayed we will go ahead and start discussions with IOCs, especially in current fields to increase production levels," he told an oil conference in Dubai on Saturday.
"There is no legislation vacuum. There is a prevailing law, which authorises us to carry out any field development contract. This we will be pursuing and you will see shortly the tendering calling for IOCs to work with us to develop current fields in addition to a gas masterplan," he said.
Asked how soon the tenders would be issued, Shahristani said "well before the end of the year."
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"Iraq has an oil law. It has always had one and it is the prevailing law until the new one is legislated. The ministry of oil can sign any contract to develop capacity and increase oil production," he said.
Hassan Juma'a Awad is the head of the Iraqi Federation of Oil Unions and has consistently led the opposition to this thievery. I have met Hassan Juma'a Awad. He's a serious man and he means what he says. He was subjected to arrests and imprisonments under Saddam Hussein for defying Saddam's laws against unions and I'm positive that he will not back down from this fight. Two weeks ago, the IFOU issued a statement in response to the Oil Ministry's statement that unions were "illegal" and not to be recognized:
IFOU Statement on Attack by Minister of Oil
August 20th 2008
In the name of God the gracious the merciful
Statement
It is clear to everyone that the bygone dictatorial regime worked diligently to confront worker's unions by invalidating them in the public sector in accordance to decree number 150 issued in the year 1987. After the fall of the regime, activist workers from the oil sector reconstituted their unions.
The foundation was laid out by the Southern Oil Company, and later spread to all oil sector companies. The union has lead many strikes in all oil companies in order to expel foreigners from the oil sector. This lead to the formation of the Federation of Oil Unions with two main goals regarding the oil sector:
1- To maintain Iraq's oil wealth
2- To struggle for workers' rights. The union has organized scientific conferences discussing the situation of the oil sector of which the first and second scientific conferences against privatization were held in the years 2005 and 2006 respectively.
Preparations are still underway to hold the third such conference and to confront the passage of the oil and gas law, which lies under American administration pressure. Consequently, a symposium to discuss this law was held on February 6th 2007.
The Federation of Oil Unions, which is leading the struggle of the working class in the oil sector in order for the workers to receive their rights and in order to protect Iraq's oil wealth, is currently being subjected to a vicious attack headed by the Minister of Oil.
The minister has issued decree number 12774 on July 18th 2007 banning union work [management working with or recognizing unions], using false pretexts based on decree number 150 that was issued in 1987 by the dictatorial regime.
The position of the minister contradicts all conventions of the International Labor Organization, especially relating to the "freedom of union work" which was signed by Iraq and should therefore abide by it.
This position is due to our union's position towards the American imperialistic project known as the oil and gas law. We view this law as an illegal way to seize the wealth of Iraqis without any economical or political excuse.
We call on all labor and vocational unions and all political movements to join our union in solidarity and to sign this statement which condemns the decision of the minister of oil. We call on him to withdraw his decree.
This is what all unions and movements demand and desire since our union is an integral part of the national Iraqi movement. May God be of assistance.
The Federation of Oil Unions
The statement issued after today's press conference:
In a conference held by the Federation of worker councils and unions in Basra today, September 8, 2007, and in the presence of a large number of union activists and political figures, the leaders of the South Oil unions join the ranks of Anti-Oil Law.
In a statement to Sana TV, the president of the IFOU Hassan Juma announced that the union will shut down the oil pipeline in the event of passing the draft law. He also added that if the Anti-Oil Law Front calls on strike to pressure the Iraqi parliament, the IFOU will respond to the call and join the strike. Noteworthy that Sana TV will broadcast the full coverage of the conference soon.
The keynote speakers in the conference were Subhi al-Badri; president of the Anti-Oil Law front, Hassan Juma; president of Iraqi Federation of South Oil Unions (IFOU), Ali Abbas; Chairman of the Federation of worker councils and unions in Basra and Mufeed Haider; chairman of Iraq Freedom Congress in Basra. The conference concluded in passing a number of resolutions to tighten the campaign against the draft of oil-law such as demonstrations, sit-ins and strikes in various sectors including the oil sector.
Media Center
Iraq Freedom Congress
September 8, 2007
With the recent British withdrawal from Basra, who will stop this strike? The Iraqi security forces? I wouldn't bet on that.
I'll try to keep one eye on what's going on and keep everyone posted... I have a feeling this situation is coming to head and it won't be pretty.