Effect given to the recommendations of the committee and the Governing Body - Report No 375, June 2015

Effect given to the recommendations of the Committee and the Governing Body

1. 43. The Committee last examined this case – which concerns alleged acts of interference by the Government, including the seizure of organizational funds and interference in the trade unions’ elections process – at its March 2012 meeting [see 363rd Report, paras 157–162, approved by the Governing Body at its 313th Session (March 2012)]. On that occasion, the Committee urged the Government to: (1) annul the regulations concerning the appointment of members of preparatory committees of federations, trade unions, associations and occupational organizations and to ensure in the future that the General Federation of Iraqi Trade Unions (GFITU) can conduct elections of its leaders in accordance with its statutes, without intervention by the authorities; (2) to indicate the steps taken to annul Decree No. 875 that allows the Government to take control of the finances of existing federations and unions; and (3) to return without delay all funds to the GFITU.
2. 44. In a communication dated 24 September 2013, the Government indicates that on 24 July 2012, the general assembly of the GFITU met and the executive bureau was elected on that occasion under the supervision of the Higher Judicial Council of Iraq and the control of competent parliamentary commissions, civil society organizations and the media, in accordance with national laws in force. The Government further indicates that the legitimacy of the elections and the removal of the seizure of the movable and immovable assets of the federation were acknowledged.
3. 45. The Committee notes with interest the information provided by the Government and, in particular, the election of the executive bureau of the GFITU which according to the Government was conducted under the supervision of the Higher Judicial Council of Iraq and the control of competent parliamentary commissions, civil society organizations and the media and was acknowledged as legitimate. The Committee also welcomes the Government’s indication that the seizure of the Federation’s movable and immovable assets was lifted.