Iraqi electricity workers protest against privatisation
Apr 6, 2022
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PSI affiliates in Iraq reported that the Iraqi Ministry of Electricity has privatised two power stations to the Kar company in Basra governorate: the Shatt Al-Basra gas power station and the Al-Rumaila gas power station. Kar informed the two stations that it did not require the number of workers at each station and that it had to lay off about a quarter of them.
The employees of these two stations, in collaboration with the electricity sector unions, including PSI affiliates, organised multiple protests as well as stands in front of the two stations, rejecting the decision, which led to a clash between the protesters and the security forces, injuring some workers.
As a result, the Ministry of Electricity terminated the employment contract of one of the protesters, considering him an instigator of the protests.
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PSI affiliates in Iraq reported that the Iraqi Ministry of Electricity has privatised two power stations to the Kar company in Basra governorate: the Shatt Al-Basra gas power station and the Al-Rumaila gas power station. Kar informed the two stations that it did not require the number of workers at each station and that it had to lay off about a quarter of them. More information: https://psishort.link/Iraqprotestselectricity
Iraq protests electricity
"We believe that the coming period will require a significant amount of work to address the privatisation in the public sector in general, and in the electricity sector in particular," said PSI's National Coordinator in Iraq.