Iraq - Protesting textile workers arrested (2012)

Hundreds of workers at al Kut National Textile Company protested on 25 July in front of the provincial council to demand better living conditions and the dismissal of the Director General who they believe is the reason behind the collapse of the al Kut Textile Company, which was one of the profitable national companies in Iraq. Some 75 workers with kidney disease from pollution caused by the factory are also waiting for compensation. Police and army forces were reportedly used against the workers to disperse the protests and some were arrested.