Support Yahya al Faifi: trade unionist facing deportation back to tyranny in Saudi Arabia

Yahya al Faifi, a very brave and self-sacrificing trade unionist – and a deeply committed socialist – is facing deportation back to a tyranny in Saudi Arabia that regularly tortures and “disappears” dissidents. On 12 February, he received a rejection letter for his appeal against the refusal of his asylum claim appeal. Now, he and his family are in imminent danger of deportation from Britain.The trade union movement is organising a day of action for Yahya on Thursday, 19 February. There will be a lobby of the Home Secretary in Marsham Street, behind Millbank (Pimlico Tube Station) at 2:00pm. A number of prominent trade unionists and MP’s will be attending. Any supporter who can be there is urged to join us.

We are calling on trade unionists and other socialists internationally to organise protests/lobbies outside British Embassies and Consulates around the world on the same day – and to let the media know. Where this is not possible, we are asking for whatever protests can be made on 19 February.

The best protection for Yahya is a huge show of support. If you are organising anything, please let us know. (Contact: defendyahyaalfaifi@googlemail.com)

MP’s, AM’s and Trade Union General Secretaries Supporting the Campaign

So far, Yahya has the support of (in alphabetical order) Ann Clwyd, MP; Jeremy Corbyn, MP; Bob Crow, General Secretary of the Rail Maritime and Transport Union; Jeff Cuth-bert, AM; Billy Hayes, General Secretary of the Communications Workers Union; Mark Serwotka, General Secretary of the Public and Commercial Services Union; Wayne Thomas, General Secretary of the National Union of Mineworkers, South Wales Area.

Yahya is also supported by the Executive of the National Union of Journalists in Wales; the Executive of the University and College Lecturers Union in Wales; the Merseyside Port Shop Stewards and many other trade union bodies, as well as many hundreds of trade unionists from across the trade union movement.

In 2006, Wales TUC passed a motion supporting Yahya’s campaign for Saudi Arabian trade union rights.

Yahya is a member of the Communications Workers Union in Britain and an honourary member of the National Union of Mineworkers, South Wales Area.

A fighter for Saudi Arabian Trade Union Rights

Yahya worked for BAE Systems in Saudi Arabia. When the company announced that they were cutting the pay of Saudi Arabian workers by 40% in 2002, Yahya organised the 2000 workers affected and led them to victory, stopping the pay cut.

This entailed organising a trade union in the plant. 500 attended the first meeting - even though trade unions are illegal in Saudi Arabia - a huge testament to Yahya's abilities and to the determination of these workers to become part of the trade union movement given half a chance. Unfortunately, BAE Systems immediately sacked Yahya.

Yahya fought to get his job back and took the case to a tribunal. In fact, it seems that BAE Systems wished to make it clear that the matter was out of their hands. Yahya has an official letter from the company saying that it was the government officer who ordered his dismissal.

The victory, the establishment of the union, Yahya's sacking and his fight for reinstatement received major coverage in the Saudi Arabian press. Yahya soon found himself under surveillance and receiving telephone threats from the government. He was told they would "cut his tongue out" if he didn't stop campaigning. Eventually, he was warned that he should leave the country, “if he wanted to protect the safety of his family”.

Yahya and his family arrived in Britain four and a half years ago and asked for asylum
Now, both the Home Office and the judge from the Asylum and Immigration Tribunal appeal hearing are saying that – despite the appalling human rights record of Saudi Arabia where dissidents regularly are jailed, tortured and "disappeared" - Yahya and his family face no threat if they are returned to Saudi Arabia. No one can reasonably agree with this assessment.

A fine record of supporting struggle in Britain

Since he has been in Britain, Yahya has supported every trade union struggle. During the Irish Ferries occupation in December 2005, Yahya not only attended every picket organised, he wanted to sleep on Pembroke Docks until all of the Irish Ferries workers had their jobs back. He has been on picket lines for the Council Workers, Job Centre Workers and Teachers.

Please add your support:

As the time frame is so urgent now, please send letters of support and protest to the Home Secretary and to the Minister of State for Borders and Immigration via email. If you could write to both the addresses below, we would be very grateful. Please send us copies of your emails for our list. Please include your trade union affiliation, if any, and any official trade union position you hold. This public show of support is very important in persuading the Home Secretary to reverse her decision.

FAO Phil Woolas, Minister of State for Borders and Immigration: privateoffice.external@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk

FAO Jacqui Smith, Home Secretary:
privateoffice.external@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk

This is about protecting the life of a brave, self-sacrificing trade unionist and supporting the fight to build trade unions in the Middle East - as a extremely important part of the fight for a democratic socialist future in the Middle East and internationally.