Iraq

Despite Crackdown, Labor Abuses Persist

Low-Wage Workers on US-Funded Projects in Iraq Endure Dismal Conditions

Despite US measures designed to halt labor abuses perpetrated by contractors working on US-funded projects in Iraq, anecdotal evidence indicates serious problems persist.

American civilian sources working at military camps report low-wage contracted laborers having limited access to medical care, crowded and decrepit living quarters, and questionable food. Some were reportedly tricked into working in Iraq, and accounts of contractors holding employees' passports continue, despite an April 2006 order from the US military specifically barring the practices.
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One worker suffering from diarrhea and vomiting was reportedly told the condition couldn’t be too severe since the employee had worked all day before reporting it. The doctor told the worker to “deal with it or go back” to Sri Lanka. “I asked one if he had any paperwork and he had none,” the contractor said.

Describing a photograph of the typical meal of mostly rice with a side of slop served to low-wage contract workers, the contractor commented: “This picture is of their food today. This is apparently a good day (with) double the usual meat portions.... The days are hit-and-miss whether they get vegetables.”

Hows that for progress! near slave labour, war cheerleaders don't concern themseleves with abuse of workers. 19th century imperialism is alive and well in Bush Junta's Iraq.

The occupation of Iraq has seen deteriorating conditions for women there as the conservative fundamentalists elements take over, its ironic how the invasion of Iraq has probably set womens rights there back 20, 30 years. Chalk it up another 'success' for those who argued for war.

Women Increasingly Targeted for Violence

Rights Activists, Aid Workers Victims of Conservative Religious Mores

BAGHDAD, 24 July 2007 (IRIN) - Haifaa Nour, 33-year-old president of the Women’s Freedom Organisation (WFO), one of the few women’s rights organisations in Iraq, said the threatening letters she had recently been receiving would not deter her from her job, even if it cost her her life. However, she acknowledged that for a woman activist the risks of doing humanitarian work were increasing daily.

“After the US-led invasion in 2003, women’s rights were well recognised... but unfortunately in the past two years our situation has deteriorated and the targeting of activists and women aid workers has increased, forcing dozens to give up their jobs,” Haifaa said.

“I know my life is under threat and I might be killed at any time especially for refusing to wear a veil or other traditional clothes, but if I do so, I will just be abetting the extremists,” she said.

They neither cared for the welfare of workers nor womens rights, all they wanted was to live out their computer game fantasies, fulfill their bloodlust and fill their coffers. It beggars belief that the Bush Junta and their Neocon tossers did not plan for the after effects of the invasion, instead having a deluded vision of Iraqs tossing flowers and hugging them, instead it is IEDs and car bombs.