Iraqi oil workers strike over proposed law

BASRA, Iraq, June 5 Iraqi oil workers, marginalized while a law to govern the oil is drafted and debated, are firing a warning shot by going on strike.

The Iraqi Pipelines Union released a statement Monday that it shut down two 14-inch oil and gas products pipelines inside the country in protest against the law and working conditions they want changed.


The statement, released by a number of ally groups outside the country, said Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki needs to make good on an agreement on the demands reached May 16 or face more work stoppage.

The Iraqi Federation of Oil Unions, an umbrella group of more than 26,000 oil-sector workers, including the Basra-based IPU, is demanding better working conditions, salaries, land promised them and lower fuel prices.

UPI