The Iraqi Federation of Trade Unions (IFTU) was the largest union federation in Iraq in the first half of the 2000s and, under Decree No. 16 in January 2004, the only one recognized by the Iraqi government. This, along with the organization's alliance with Ayad Allawi's transitional government, many other labor organizations distrusted and criticized the IFTU. In 2005, IFTU claimed 12 national unions and over 200,000 members, though it merged with three other union federations to form the General Federation of Iraqi Workers (also known as the Iraqi Workers' Federation) in 2006.
History
The IFTU was formed in May 2003 at a conference in Baghdad by 400 union activists who had recently resumed their lives in Iraq after a period of hiding or exile. The organization has roots in the Saddam-era and Ba'ath Party-supported General Federation of Trade Unions and an earlier group also called the Iraqi Federation of Trade Unions.
They supported democratic elections, secularism, and accountable leaders and opposed privatization. By late 2005, IFTU represented supporters of former prime minister Ayad Allawi and some Arab nationalists, though was still largely aligned with the Iraqi Communist Party.
In 2005, US Labor Against the War (USLAW), a non-governmental, anti-war organization, invited representatives from the IFTU, the Federation of Workers Councils and Unions in Iraq, and the General Union of Oil Employees to speak with a number of Americans opposed to foreign occupation of Iraq. They detained for one day and released without charge, though the office remained closed until July 2004.
Murders, kidnappings, and other attacks
IFTU's open support of the January 2005 Iraqi parliamentary election, which would elect a new National Assembly of Iraq to write an updated constitution, made the organization a target for attacks, kidnappings, and murders, mostly from insurgents who supported Saddam Hussein.
On January 26, IFTU's Mosul president Saady Edan was kidnapped and tortured before being released six days later with the express warning to cease his work with the IFTU. On January 27, Talib Khadim Al Tayee, president of the IFTU-affiliated Mechanics', Metalworkers', and Printworkers' Union, was kidnapped during a meeting with union members. He was released five days later on February 1. On February 11, Moaid Hamed, who worked as the general secretary for IFTU's Mosul branch, was kidnapped as he left his home. He was a member of leadership in IFTU's oil union.
Merger
In September 2005, IFTU announced it was merging with the General Federation of Trade Unions and the General Federation of Iraqi Trade Unions to create a new organization called the General Federation of Iraqi Workers or the Iraqi Workers' Federation.