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| Iraq-Jordan |
| Basra oil workers out on strike |
| 2005-07-28 |
| Workers at Iraq's South Oil Company are holding a one-day strike to demand a bigger share of the country's oil revenues for the region. Provincial governor Mohammad al-Waili, who called the strike, has called for the province to be allowed to keep more of the oil revenues. But the oil firm said there would be minimal disruption to supply. "This will be a peaceful protest, and will not lead to a halt in exports," one oil official told the Reuters news agency. Oil production, on the other hand, stopped at most installations in the province as some 15,000 workers downed tools, Reuters said. Earlier, agencies said exports could be halted by the strike. Iraq currently exports about 1.4 million barrels of crude oil a day. Of that, more than 80% comes through the south of the country, with the remainder flowing out through a pipeline into Turkey to the north. The export income amounts to some $17bn a year. Too little of that makes its way back to the south, the provincial governor's party says, leaving the province short of money to improve living standards. |
| Posted by:Steve White |
| #5 If you read Indymedia, you'll see that the unions of southern Iraq are often featured. It is possible to conclude that a portion of the owrkers in the oil industry in the Basra region are unionized, by very leftist style unions. And, as always, one must remember that provincial governors like having increased funds in their region. It boosts their 401-k accounts. |
| Posted by: Chuck Simmins 2005-07-28 09:11 |
| #4 As soon as I read the headline, I had phil_b's thought. Great minds run in the same channel, eh? |
| Posted by: Bobby 2005-07-28 08:28 |
| #3 Welcome to democracy where people peaceful demonstrate (including withdrawal of labour) to highlight their concerns and issues. |
| Posted by: phil_b 2005-07-28 06:12 |
| #2 I'm thinking PATCO strike here folks, bring on the scabs. Iraqis are waiting days in line for gas. |
| Posted by: Captain America 2005-07-28 06:09 |
| #1 It sounds like a reasonable response to legitimate concerns. But, is that possible in that part of the world? |
| Posted by: Vlad the Muslim Impaler 2005-07-28 01:11 |