Smartphones to Iraq

[Guest johninnit]

Hi all,

Here's a page from the TUC's website: http://www.tuc.org.uk/the_tuc/tuc-11773-f0.cfm

They've launched an appeal for your old phones, to give to people who are starting up democratic trade unions in Iraq. Independent unions were crushed under Saddam, with lots of organisers jailed or killed. They're trying to re-establish as they're a useful part of a democratic civil society, and a lot of Iraqis have terrible working conditions. But they're stuck in the middle of the conflict and are getting problems from all sides - the US turned over their offices last year and people at work are being killed in 'friendly fire', and they've been targetted by parts of the insurgency.

Seeing as; A) this is a meeting place for a lot of people who have a lot of old phones lying around, and B)even a very old smartphone is a fantastic tool for a local organiser, I thought I'd let you know. I just ebayed my sonyericcson, but they're getting my old Nokia. Not sure how they plan to convert them to work in Iraq (or even what band they use there), but they claim to have a method.

Iraqi unions site (in English) is at http://www.iraqitradeunions.org/en/ if you want to read more about what they're up to

cheers, John