In Iraq’s Fields of Black Gold, Thousands Lose Livelihoods

Local worker Muhammad Subeih Haider, who was laid off amid the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), by private British security firm operating in West Qurna 1 oilfield, developed by Exxon Mobil, plays with his children at his home in Basra, Iraq, May 29, 2020. Picture taken May 29, 2020. (Mohammed Aty/Reuters))

BASRA, Iraq—Mohammed Haider, a security worker in Iraq’s southern oilfields, thought he was safe after signing a new one-year contract to guard oil facilities. Three days later, he was out of a job.

“I got laid off. They threw us out on the pavement,” the 38-year-old said, speaking as he protested outside the Basra Oil Company headquarters, the national partner for foreign companies.