Basra Oil Workers Strike Could Resume Sunday

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Kathlyn Stone -- World News Trust

Basra Oil Workers’ Strike Could Resume Sunday

Aug. 31, 2006 -- Oil pipeline workers in Basra, Iraq, will resume their strike as early as Sunday if authorities do not meet the remaining demands of workers, the Federation of Workers’ Councils and Unions in Iraq said Thursday.

About 500 oil and gas workers went on strike for 48 hours beginning Aug. 22 for higher pay, overtime, timely pay and ambulances at the work site.

The oil ministry agreed to raise the salaries of workers, which average about $200 a month, but did not commit to the remaining items.

A general strike by union workers could soon follow the Basra oil workers’ strike, the FWCUI said. Union leaders will meet next week to finalize demands and set a deadline for the authorities’ response. The demands currently under discussion include housing the workers, raising minimum salaries, expanding limits of promotion and salary, converting contracted workers into full-time workers, and curbing bureaucracy and corruption.

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