Dhi Qar blames Baghdad for oil missteps

NASSIRIYA - The head of Dhi Qar province's oil authority told protestors that it was a Baghdad decision to change their work shifts, and promised to convey their concerns.

Four months ago the Oil Ministry changed the shift of the South Oil Company (SOC) workers in Dhi Qar from a schedule that had them working 24-hour shifts with 72 hours off, to a new plan of 12 hours on and 12 hours off. The change was especially unpopular with employees who live farther away from their work sites.