Where are the Democrats on Labor Rights in Iraq?

How come more national Democrats aren't pounding the table about labor rights in Iraq? This would seem like a no-brainer. The "democracy" brought by the U.S. invasion and occupation doesn't include the internationally-recognized right to organize, which is supposed to be guaranteed by international agreement through the International Labor Organization.

National Democrats often follow the AFL-CIO lead in what labor rights issues they put in the foreground. On this issue, the AFL-CIO has spoken loud and clear. On Thursday, they organized a demonstration at the Iraqi Embassy in Washington. As US Labor Against the War reports,

"The Maliki government in Iraq continues to enforce Saddam Hussein's 1987 law that banned all trade unions in public enterprises (80% of the economy). A rally protesting the suppression of workers' rights in that country was held on Aug. 16, sponsored by the AFL-CIO, Solidarity Center, and the Washington, D.C. Metro Labor Council, with participation by USLAW. The event was held in front of the Republic of Iraq Embassy, in Washington, DC."

This issue has gotten almost no coverage in Western media; UPI's Ben Lando being a notable exception.

When Democrats and the unions raise the issue of labor rights in the context of trade agreements, we get a lot of poor-mouthing about U.S. power. Yes, we agree, but there's only so much we can do. Now we're talking about a country under U.S. military occupation, where the U.S.-sponsored government is brazenly running roughshod over the country's trade unions. And hardly anyone with access to the national microphone is saying boo about it.

If national Democrats were raising this issue, it could no longer be ignored. What if, for example, John Edwards and Dennis Kucinich -- the two Democrats running for President who talk most about labor issues -- were to raise this issue in every Presidential debate. Could the media still ignore it?

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Comments

[mommadona]

Shoot.
Where have you BEEN lately?
The DLC sold the soul of the party to "DA MAN".

Talkin's cheap.
Democrats should NO LONGER count on that Union vote.

Two five lettered 'words':

NAFTA/CAFTA.

And they WONDER why so many middle-class 'used to be Democratic' have now registered INDEPENDENT.

[ChuckFitz]

Great point. But where are the Democrats...period?