Iraq Oil Union Tells Statoil to Stay Away

Iraq's oil workers union (IFOU) has said it will not allow Norwegian oil company Statoil the right to work in Iraq, according to a Norwegian newspaper.

IFOU leader Hassan Jumaa al-Assadi told Norwegian newspaper Klassekampen his union will not give Statoil the right to carry out any activity in the country.

The IFOU, which is not recognised by the Iraqi authorities, organises around 26,000 workers in the Iraqi oil industry

The latest opposition follows demands made last week by the head of the Norwegian Federation of Trade Unions Roar Flaaten for Statoil to postpone its plans to establish an office in Iraq.

Iraq has the world's third largest oil deposits, after Saudi Arabia and Iran.

Reported by staff writer