INTERNATIONAL LABOUR-IRAQ:

APPEAL FROM THE IRAQI TEACHERS' UNION:

The following appeal for online solidarity has come Molly's way from the e-solidarity site Labour Start.

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Iraq: Teachers union faces threat of government takeover:

The Iraqi Teachers' Union is under attack from the Iraqi Government. The government has authorized an official body to take over the union under the pretext of forcing the union to hold elections. It is worth noting that the ITU has already held several national conferences since 2003 and had elected an ITU leadership openly and democratically. The government attempts are illegitimate, unacceptable and a blatant violation and interference in the internal democratic affairs of the union. They also violate the Iraqi constitution which guarantees workers the right to organize. The ITU leadership has refused to hand over the union and is ready to struggle to preserve the independence of the ITU. Because of this, its leaders are under the threat of arrest. The ITU is organizing another national protest with major demonstration in central Baghdad on 28 March 2009 and it needs your solidarity and support.

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THE LETTER:

Please go to THIS LINK to send the following very short and sweet letter to the Iraqi authorities.

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"I call upon the Iraqi government to cease its interference in the internal affairs of the Iraqi Teachers Union."

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Well, you can't get shorter and to the point than that-Molly