Freedom on the March: Iraqi Troops Threaten Striking Oil Workers with Arrest.
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Alternet relays an article by Ben Landon of United Press International, Iraqi Troops Face Off Against Striking Oil Workers. The arrest warrants accuse the strikers of “sabotaging the economy”. Its hard to tell whcih labor demands are causing what reaction from the government, but:
The demands include union entry to negotiations over the oil law they fear will allow foreign oil companies too much access to Iraq’s oil, as well as a variety of improved working conditions.
refering to a law before the Iraqi parliament governing the long term [~30 year] “production sharing agreements.” In drafts to date the law would grant the lion’s share of the profits to foreign [outside of Iraq] oil companies. Labor intervention in these agreements is certain to meet with disfavor in the “foreign investment Community.”
