Iran's war on trade unions
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Tuesday August 19, 2008 10:35
by pat c
Peter Tatchell writes on how the Iranian Regime is stepping up its war against the working class: trade union activists have been jailed and flogged. This is part of the Regimes wider assault on all dissidents: In Baluchistan alone700 nationalist and human rights campaigners are on death row. Full article at link.
Among those recently jailed were two workers' rights campaigners, Sousan Razani and Shiva Kheirabadi. They have been sentenced to 15 lashes and four months in prison for the "crime" (under Iran's Islamic law) of participating in a May Day celebration in the city of Sanandaj earlier this year. The verdicts were issued by the criminal court of Sanandaj – branch 101.
Mansour Osanloo, leader of Tehran's bus workers syndicate, remains in jail since he was sentenced to five years in July 2007 for his union activities. Nine of his union members have had their dismissal from their jobs upheld by the Islamic courts, which do not recognise trade unions or workers rights. The sacked men had suffered two years of harassment and victimisation for the "crime" of establishing an independent trade union.
The Tehran regime is increasingly hostile to rising working-class militancy, which it fears could become political and turn into a mass movement against the government. The ruling elite are particularly nervous of the possibility that the unions might link up with students, leftwingers, civic organisations and oppressed national minorities (like the Arabs, Kurds and Baluchs) to form a united front for a free and democratic federal state.
Comments (5 of 5)
Jump To Comment: 1 2 3 4 5This is an extract from the IWW letter. Full text at link.
Dear President Ahmadinejad,
The International Solidarity Commission (ISC) of the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW), is outraged at the recent whipping sentences and jail terms against labor activists in Iran. We have been informed that Sousan Razani and Shiva Kheirabadi each were sentenced to 4 months in prison and 15 lashes; Abdullah Khani was sentenced to 91 days prison and 40 lashes and Seyed Qaleb Hosseini was sentenced to 6 months prison and 50 lashes.
These labor activists are sentenced so severely only because of their participation in 2008 May Day celebration in Sanandaj. Also, Khaled Hosseini, a worker activist, was sentenced to 91 days suspended jail and 30 lashes because of his support of Mahmoud Salehi. We also remind you that on July 20, 2008, Mr. Farzad Kamangar was sentenced to death after having a seven minutes trial. Farzad is a teacher, who has been brutally tortured because of unsubstantiated allegations such as collaborating with the Pejak Party, membership in the PKK, and transporting explosives.
All the above arrests and repressive measures are clear indications of intensified offensives against the entire labor movement in Iran. The ISC calls on your government to unconditionally and immediately release all prisoners of conscience and repeal all
charges and sentences against labor activists in Iran. We also call for the freedom of Mansour Osanloo, the president of Tehran Bus Company Union, who has been imprisoned since July 2007.
We also demand the immediate recognition and realization of human and workers' rights to all workers in Iran, including the rights to organize freely and to strike.
Sincerely,
Michael Pesa
International Solidarity Commission
Industrial Workers of the World (IWW
http://www.workers-iran.org/News/IWW,%20Aug%202008,%20p...r.pdf
The British TUC has added its voice to protest against the inhuman treatment of Iranian workers. Extract from TUC letter below. Full text at link.
Dear President Ahmadinejad
Recent sentences against trade union activist in Iran
The General Council of the Trades Union Congress, which represents some 6.5 million trade unionists in Great Britain, wish to express to you our deep concern and outrage at the recent whipping sentences and jail terms which are to be imposed against labour activists in the Islamic Republic of Iran, and the death sentence against Farzad Kamangar.
We understand that, only because of their participation in 2008 May Day celebration in Sanandaj, the Criminal Court of Sanandaj - branch 101 has sentenced Ms. Sousan Razani to 9 months imprisonment and 70 lashes; Ms. Shiva Kheirabadi to 4 months imprisonment and 15 lashes; Mr. Abdullah Khani to 91 days prison and 40 lashes and Mr. Seyed Qaleb Hosseini to 6 months imprisonment and 50 lashes. In addition, Mr. Khaled Hosseini, a worker activist, was sentenced to 91 days suspended jail and 30 lashes because of his efforts in support of Mahmoud Salehi who was imprisoned at the time...
We appeal to your government to:
review the case of Farzad Kamangar and provide further clarification about the charges against him and other trade unionist currently detained;
commute Mr Kamangar's death sentence;
end immediately the use of torture and bring to justice those who order and exact it; ...
Yours sincerely
Kay Carberry
Assistant General Secretary
Go to the url below and you will be able to send a protest message to the Iranian leadership.
Sousan Razani and Shiva Kheirabadi
Iranian teachers trying to attend a trade union meeting have been illegally detained in Iran. Teacher trade unions convened the meeting to give members the opportunity to peacefully discuss possible activities to celebrate World Teachers Day. Every year on 5 October, millions of educators worldwide undertake public activities highlighting that quality education is a fundamental right for everyone.
Teachers in Iran did not even have the chance to meet and to share ideas and knowledge about World Teachers’ Day. Teachers approaching the meeting place were harrassed by intelligence agents and were taken to various police stations. After 16 hours of illegal detention, 22 teachers were released; others were released later, after having been beaten.
The right of trade unions and teacher associations to operate and hold meetings to discuss professional questions, without prior authorization, is an essential element of freedom of association. Public authorities should refrain from any interference which would restrict trade union rights. The arrest of trade union leaders and members constitutes a violation of the trade union rights enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
Source: Education International
Four of the Tehran bus workers have been imprisoned. Full report at link.
The Islamic regime of Iran's judiciary has just recently issued jail sentences for 4 of Vaahed workers, namely Ata Babakhaani, Said Toraabiyaan, Yaqub Salimi, and Ali Zaadehoseyni. They have been convicted of participating in the 2005 strike and acting against national security. They have been sentenced to 6 to 14 months of suspended imprisonment. This has occurred against the backdrop of Mansour Osaanloo, the president of Vaahed Syndicate, having been in jail for over a year now.
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