EWA JASIEWICZ was speaking on behalf of the campaign group Hands Off Iraqi Oil, who were holding their own day school the same day.
She explained the significance of the impending Hydrocarbon Law. Iraqi officials under the supervision of the Bush administration and the IMF wrote this new piece of legislation which is expected to become law in May. The Americans have said that "heads will roll" if Iraqi legislators do not pass the law.
"It favours productionsharing agreements that can last up to 25-40 years or indefinitely. There are "stabilisation clauses" that mean that the government won't be able to change tax rates or pass any new laws that affects the oil company profits. It is in reality, control of the oil from the Iraqis to the oil companies. This will in effect override Iraqi sovereignty. This new law will be de facto privatisation.
"Iraq has the 3rd largest oil reserves and 12th for oil production. It is a lucrative business with western oil companies grabbing up to 75% of the profits. This means that revenue that should be used to re-build Iraq will be given to the directors and shareholders of the major oil companies."
Ewa looked at the long history of class struggle and militancy of Iraqi oil workers. They understand how critical is the part they play in Iraqi society. The Federation of Oil Unions in Iraq are bravely fighting this law.
In a joint statement with other Iraqi trade unionists:
"The handing of control over oil to foreign companies, whose aims is to make big profits at the expense of the Iraqi people, and to rob the national wealth, according to long-term, unfair contracts, that undermine the sovereignty of the state and the dignity of the Iraqi people".
There is strike action planned by the oil workers once this law is passed (May/June) and there will be inevitable bloodshed and to be blunt, a killing spree orchestrated by the goon squads employed by the oil companies.
Hand Off Iraqi Oil have already begun planning solidarity activities.
There will be pickets of BP and Shell petrol stations. Ewa stressed the importance to show solidarity with the oil workers.
Other initiatives to protest against this vile law include demonstrating outside BP AGM, flood emails to Blair and Beckett and there is an early day motion tabled by MP Katy Clark that has received support of 24 MPs (including a Tory!).
The need to raise awareness is imperative, as Iraqi oil will go the same way as Colombia and Nigeria where violent repression including murder is used to erush opposition including trade unionists.
For further information about Hands Off Iraqi Oil see http://www.handsoffiraqioil.org/
To find out about Platform see: http://www.carbonweb.org/show item.asp?article =4&parent=3