As the toll of US soldiers killed in Iraq passes the 1,000 mark, the total number of deaths for migrant workers has peaked at 25. The International Confederation of Free Trade Unions sent a letter to the Iraqi Prime Minister yesterday condemning the wave of hostage taking and killing of migrant workers in the war torn country. The number of foreign workers killed in Iraq since March 2003 jumped at the end of August following the video taped killing of 12 Nepalese and three Turkish workers. In addition, recent kidnappings of two Italian foreign relief workers were also condemned by the organization and has led many aid groups to consider pulling out. And earlier this month, seven truck drivers, from the countries of India, Kenya and Egypt were released by their captors, but only after their employer paid a ransom the equivalent $500,000 American dollars. In the letter, the ICFTU said that more than 20 workers are currently being held hostage and the group has called upon the Iraqi government to provide better security for workers of all nationalities.