Justice for Iranian Workers

ITUC/ITF Joint press release

30 November 2011
The International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) and the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) are welcoming the release today from prison of Ebrahim Madadi, a board member of the Tehran bus drivers’ union, the Vahed Syndicate. Ebrahim had been unjustly held on false charges of endangering national security since being arrested and then rearrested in 2007 and 2008.

“He is free because trade unionists worldwide have been demanding justice” ITUC General Secretary Sharan Burrow said. “It is also a result of pressure through the International Labour Organization (ILO) which has been critical of Iran for not living up to the international obligations they have signed onto”.

“Many serious human and trade union rights issues remain to be solved in Iran and the fundamental violations of trade union rights need to be addressed. While cautiously welcoming this important step forward, the ITUC and the ITF, on behalf of workers everywhere, call once again upon the Iranian authorities to urgently release all other trade unionists from prison.”

ITF general secretary David Cockroft commented: “This excellent news is proof that protest works. We have all fought long and hard for this release, as we did for Mansour Osanloo’s. However, the day all of those unjustly imprisoned in Iran are set free is the day we will be able to truly celebrate.

“We look forward to both Ebrahim Madadi and Mansour Osanloo taking their rightful places as leaders of the Vahed Syndicate.”

Source: http://www.itfglobal.org/press-area/index.cfm/pressdetail/6764

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ITUC Online

24 October 2011

The ITF has expressed concern over summonses to attend court issued to Seyed Davood Razavi, a former treasurer of the Tehran bus drivers’ union, the Vahed Syndicate, and to his fellow Vahed executive board member Yaghoub Salimi.

ITF general secretary David Cockroft explained: “We believe that Davood is likely to be questioned over some spurious charges dating back to 2007, of propaganda against regime, illegal gathering and endangering national security. Similar charges were made against Yaghoub.”

He continued: “I think it’s clear that this treatment is not going to achieve anything, and we would strongly suggest to the authorities that they desist, reflect on how they finally saw sense by freeing Mansour Osanloo, and then also do the same for Reza Shahabi and Ebrahim Madadi.”

Source: http://www.itfglobal.org/press-area/index.cfm/pressdetail/6583

Under strong intimidation and threats, 6,500 workers at the government-owned Mahshahr Bandar Imam Petrochemical complex, in the South-West of Iran, took strike action on 28 September, demanding an end to management’s use of subcontracting firms at the plant. Workers’ rights are continuously undermined by intermediary companies, in a familiar pattern seen around the world. Workers are not directly employed by the factory where they work, and so are unable to bargain collectively with management, forced to work in substandard conditions with low wages and allowances, all based on precariously temporary contracts.

Workers at the Tabriz petrochemical company at the plant conducted an 11-day strike in March this year on the same demands. That strike was suspended after an empty government promise to respond to workers’ demands within three months. While CAL workers do not receive their production and efficiency bonuses, their contract agency collects those benefits. Despite of management threats and arrests of union activists, the union is committed to continuing the action until their demand is met.

On paper, the management has supposedly committed itself to eliminating the subcontracting firms for some time but its actual implementation in most facilities is yet to happen.

The Free Union of Iranian Workers reports that on the seventh day of the strike, three oil workers were summoned to the security office and immediately put under arrest. These were Mansour Abbasi, a worker with the Khawrazmi subcontracting company and a workers’ representative; Mohammad Bagher Bagheri, worker at Fars Industries contracting company and a workers’ representative; and Jasem Bandarani, another worker at the Khawrazmi subcontracting company. The arrests followed protest rallies near the main offices of the petrochemical complex which included marches and chants. The three arrested workers have since been released.

Reports suggest over 70% of Iranian workers are employed on temporary contracts, with no job security. Many other shocking abuses are reported, from poverty wages often beneath the low minimum wage, non-payment of salaries for up to 18 months, extremely dangerous working conditions, and little to no legislative protections.

Source: http://www.icem.org/en/78-ICEM-InBrief/4712-Iranian-Petrochemical-Workers-Strike-Demanding-Elimination-of-Subcontractors

Bruselas, 20 de mayo de 2009 : Cuatro organizaciones sindicales mundiales, que representan a más de 170 millones de trabajadores en todo el mundo, han pedido que el 26 de junio sea un día de acción destinado a exigir justicia para los trabajadores y trabajadoras iraníes. Las manifestaciones se llevarán a cabo frente a las embajadas y consulados de Irán para protestar por la continua negación de los derechos sindicales y las detenciones de sindicalistas en el país.

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Quatre organisations syndicales mondiales représentant plus de 170 millions de travailleurs ont lancé une journée mondiale d’action le 26 juin afin d’exiger plus de justice pour les travailleurs iraniens. Des manifestations se dérouleront devant les ambassades et consulats iraniens afin de protester contre les perpétuelles violations des droits et les arrestations de syndicalistes dans le pays.

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