At the conclusion of her mission in Iraq, Ms. Hind Ben Ammar, Executive Secretary of the Arab Trade Union Confederation, held a working meeting with the Iraqi Minister of Labor and Social Affairs, Mr. Ahmed Al-Asadi, in the presence of Mr. Kareem Lafta Sandal, President of the General Federation of Workers of the Republic of Iraq. The meeting addressed the challenges facing the trade union movement and ways to strengthen its role.
In this context, Ms. Hind Ben Ammar stressed that trade union pluralism is evidence of the democracy of trade union work and a translation of international labor conventions that guarantee workers’ right to choose their representatives. Trade union pluralism is the natural result of workers’ choices as a human force with diverse visions and interests.
She said: “Trade unions play their role as intermediary entities, and regardless of their plurality, they can contribute to strengthening development and improving productivity, provided they are empowered to perform their duties in full independence. Iraq today has all the reasons to make the pluralistic trade union experience successful, not only through its constitution that guarantees trade union rights, but also through its explicit commitment to the fundamental international labor conventions.”
On the role of the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs, she said: “We commend all the ministry’s initiatives to promote dialogue and broaden consultation on social issues. These initiatives have required considerable effort and time, and they must soon culminate in the issuance of a law on trade union practice that meets the aspirations of the trade union movement, aligns with Iraq’s commitments to international labor conventions, and establishes a fruitful social partnership.”
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