November 2017
Shahla Daneshfar
The labor movement in Iran is undergoing a transformation. Labor protests in Iran are widespread and in a growing process. These protests have become more radical every day and we can see protests of workers are against poverty, discrimination, inequality, state embezzlement, unemployment, wages that are severely below the poverty line, the Islamic government’s violations of people and their livelihoods, and generally worker protests for a decent humane life.
In recent years, long-term strikes in Iran have become routine and sometimes have lasted for a month or even more. More and more large industrial centres are striking every day despite the fact that gatherings and organizations are prohibited in Iran. Workers and protesters gather every day because of their urgent demands. They march in the middle of the city and chant and shout out for their wishes to be heard.
In Iran, workers and teachers are deprived of the right to organize, but they have independently and by their own formed several organisations such as the Free Trade Union of Workers of Iran, The Vahed (city bus company) Syndicate, the Haft Tapeh Sugarcane Syndicate, the Coordination Committee for the Establishment of Workers ‘Organizations, the Follow-up Committee for the Establishment of Workers’ Associations, the Kermanshah Electric and Metal Association, the Labor Defenders ‘Association, the Alborz Painting Workers Syndicate, the Workers’ Union for Electric and Metal Workers and Trade Unions in various fields of construction and bakery, and other organizations like the Teachers’ Association and so on.
Today, with the help of social media, workers, teachers, and other protesting sections of the society y have created their own campaign groups in networks such as Telegram, which allow them to be organized on a large scale. In these groups, they have been discussing about their conditions and their demands every day, and they are getting more and more united around these demands. In these social media groups, they also decide the forms of their protests and how to best continue and succeed them. They call for rallies and protests, and their calls are being responded more broadly and socially every day. Gatherings can include three to four thousand people daily protests against the Islamic government by gatherings in front of the Islamic parliament, or the President Rohany’s office, the Ministry of Labor and Social Security, Governorates and various government agencies.
A remarkable phenomenon in the last two years is the workers protests on a national scale. Workers, teachers, retirees in their social media groups are more organized every day. In these groups, they mobilize their forces and call for protests for specific days. As a result, protests have become more global this year which have provided the basis for further demonstrations as people gain more confidence and momentum in their actions. An example is a large number of retirees who gathered several times in recent months in large numbers and were very organised and well articulated.
Another remarkable phenomenon is the family members participation in workers protests. This gives a more social and powerful dimension to labor protests.
Common demands and slogans in protests is another outstanding feature of the today protests in iran. the similarity of slogans of slogans of various sectors of society, including workers, teachers, retirees and students is very clear. As mentioned before protest against poverty, discrimination, inequality, embezzlement and for having a decent human life is widespread.
A clear evidence of the rising popularity of protests in Iran is the officials’ remarks about the size of the protests: In the year 2015, a government official in Kerman declared the number of labor protests in this province as 6500 in the first six months of the year. Also, according to published official reports, the number of labor protests in 2016 increased significantly compared to 2015 and 2014. Statistics over the course of 2016 shows that workers protested in 653 production and service centres for their demands, which was an increase by about 27 percent compared to year 2015. In 2016 there were 1264 workers’ protests, which mean that there were more than three protests happening every day. It is noteworthy that the workers’ protests grew in 2016 and has been growing in 2017. In August 2017 Sardar Kiomars, Azizi, the provincial police commander told reporters that since the beginning of the year, 118 gatherings have taken place in the province, a 240-percent increase from the same period last year.
Another important issue is the daily protests of the workers are against the unpaid wages and against expulsion from work. In Iran, the wages of a worker, a teacher and a retired person are not paid for months and this trend have become a normal policy by almost all employers and government. Workers see this as a crime and robbery and stand against it. The centrepiece of the labor protests demands in Iran are the increase in wages, against unpaid wages and layoffs, and for official and direct employment by employers instead of the middle men and brokers. Other main demands are equal pay for equal work, free education, free healthcare , the right to organize and other basic rights of the people .
One of the most prominent protests of the workers in Iran is about the authorities astronomical thefts and embezzlements and mega salaries which been exposed on every day basis.
– People also are protesting the huge funds spent on terrorist policies in the region, including in Syria. Slogans like ‘an embezzlement less, our problem is solved’, ‘Leave Syria, think about us,’ ‘Astronomical salaries, public misery’, have become common slogans that have turned into protests by workers, teachers, retirees and all people. These slogans challenge the entire government. Labor protests in Iran are radical, leftist, and humanistic, and challenge the discrimination and inequality of ruling capitalism. The labor movement in Iran is an active factor that directly affects the whole political atmosphere of the society. In Iran, various protest movements such as women’s’ rights, environmental care, the rights of the children, against capital punishment, for the release of political prisoners, are increasingly more organized every day. The labor movement has much impact on the course of the political developments in society.
Campaign to Free Jailed Workers (Free Them Now)
Shahla.daneshfar2@gmail.com
The earthquake of more than seven Richter in the west of the country and its catastrophic humanitarian dimensions and a wave of solidarity and support for earthquake survivors, Continuation of protests by retirees gathering on 22nd November in front of Rouhani’s office, steel industry retirees gatherings in Esfahan, in front of the Islamic parliament in Tehran on November 29, Statement of 7 workers ‘organization in support of Mahmoud Salehi, a well-known workers’ figure, along with other widespread protests Workers at various centres are important news headlines and labor issues in recent days
-On November 13, about 3000 teachers, social workers, paramedics and nurses retirees from all provinces gathered in front of the Rouhani’s office in Tehran to follow up their basics demands. In this gathering a group steel industry retirees also participated. In addition, Khorasan’s retirees gathered retirees of Khorasan province were gathered in front of the city’s governorate on November13
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-The call for steel retirees to gather in Tehran
On November 29, Steel retirees have from various cities gathered in front of the Islamic parliament in Tehran..90,000 steelworkers retired face many problems, such as non-payment of salaries, high cost of treatment, low salaries and housing insecurity
Steel retirees gathered in Isfahan on Nov. 21, 22, 24 and 25 (Nov. 12 to Nov. 16) in front of the city’s retirement office on Nashat street and Governor’s Ave for two consecutive days. On November 25, they Marched in the middle of the city With their slogans against the unpaid wages, and poverty. This protest attracted the attention of the people of city. Non-payment of wages in Iran today is a major social dilemma among workers, teachers, retirees, and many wage-earners. This is an important issue in the protests of the workers and many of the wage-earners. A steel recruitments call in all cities is to gather every day until their their demands answered. Part of the these works has not been paid since 6 years ago. Their monthly wages are also paying late .
– On Thursday, November 17, retired Kayan Tire workers, who have been claiming their pension payment since six years ago and have been paid in instalments rallied in protest…
-On Monday, November 6, oil tanker drivers in Bushehr city stopped working and strike because of their lack of care.
On November 4, a group of abandoned workers at the National Oil Products Distribution Company of Ahwaz gathered in front of the governorate building in Khuzestan. During their protests against unemployment after the transfer of some of the fuel stations to the private sector.
-Electricity strike of Shirvan combined cycle:
November 15: The third day of the strike of workers at Shirvan city combined cycle power plant in protest over working conditions and their unpaid wages. These workers have not been paid since July.
-23 November: Protest rally in Abadan Municipal Services in protest of their 6 Months unpaid wages.
-23 November: Protest rally of workers at the Abadan Oil & Gas workers Company, who works at Abadan Oil Refining Company. they protested in front of Arvand Free Zone against their 28 month not paying ‘ salaries and benefits.
-On November 7, a group of retired steelworkers representing 90,000 retired steelworkers gathered in front of the Islamic regym “Ministry of Labor” in Tehran.
-On November 5, a group of retired steel industry workers in Khuzestan gathered in protest of their 6 minths non-payment wages in front of Governorate.
-November 6, municipal employees of Sarwabad gathered in front of the Sarabagh Municipality for not paying more than seven of their salaries and two and a half their extra work wages.
-On the morning of November 7th, about 50 workers from the South Pars phases 14, gathered in the workshop area in protest of months delayed payment claims.
-On October 30, 3000 retired people, educators, social workers, gathered in front of the plan and budget organization, in accordance with the previous plan, to meet their demands against the plan and budget organization. The protests continued on October 31, 1st and 2nd of November.
-On November 7, 2000 workers of Phase 13 of Assaluyeh went on strike to protest the 5-month payout delay.
-On October 25, workers of the Pars Rubber Company, the manufacturer of heavy-duty passenger cars and sub-sectors of the Industry and Mine Bank, entered their second week of their strike.
-On November 21, 22, and 23, a group of unemployed youth gathered in Abadan to protest widespread unemployment and discrimination and inequality against the city’s governorate building.
Massive campaign in condemnation Mahmoud Salehi ‘s arrest.
On Saturday, October 28, Mahmoud Salehi, a prominent activist of the Iranian Labor Movement, was arrested by the Islamic police in front of the hospital door , while the dialysis device was connected to him. He transferred to Saghez prison to serve a one-year sentence. The brutal arrest of Mahmoud Salehi has been raging with anger and protest, and there is now a massive campaign to condemn his arrest and to release him and all political prisoners,and called for immediate release of Mahmoud Salehi and all all political prisoners. Their demand is the abolition of security sentences issued to labor activists, teachers, and the public.
Protest statements condemning Mahmoud Salehi’s arrest.
Workers’ organizations in the name of the Free Trade Union Workers of Iran, the Kermanshah Electric and Metal Workers’ Union, the Haft Tapeh sugar cane workers syndicate, the Alborz Painting Syndicate, the Labor Defenders’ Association, the Co-ordinating Committee to Help Form Workers’ Organisations in Iran and the Committee to Pursue the Establishment of Workers’ Organisations in Iran in a joint statement in defence of Mahmoud Salehi called for his unconditional release. They considered the consequences of any physical harm to him to the highest judicial and executive authorities in the country. In this regard, these organizations have issued a separate statement calling for the release of Mahmoud Salehi, Reza Shahabi, Ismail Abdi, Mohsen Omrani, Mokhtar Asadi, Mahmoud Beheshti, and all political prisoners.
Last week, 536 workers, cultural and social activists also, By signing a statement have supported Mahmoud Salehi. In this regard, apart from the mentioned workers’ organizations, there were also a number of workers and teachers, including a group of workers and social activists, such as Abdullah Belwaisi, Sydeh unit, Yousef Ab Kharabat, Yagid Ghotbi, Abbas Karimi, Fardin Miraki, Bahram Gorgan, Seyyed Ali Hosseini and Yadi Samadi, a group of workers and workers activists in Baneh, a group of teachers, workers and protesters, a group of labor activists, social workers and teachers of Marivan city, a group of activists against unemployment – Tehran, Sanandaj, and Kamyaran, strongly Condemned detained Mahmoud Salehi And demanded his unconditional release. Similarly, well-known workers and figures such as Javanmir Moradi, Jafar Azimzadeh, Behnam Ebrahimzadeh, Parvin Mohammadi, Osman Esmaili have protested to the arrest of Mahmoud Salehi and demanded his release and all political prisoners.
Internationally, the International Union of Industrial Workers (INDUSTRIAL), Sharon Barro, Secretary-General of the International Confederation of Trade Unions and Amnesty have condemned Mahmoud Salehi’s arrest and pressure on labor leaders and activists and imprisonment sentence.
A wave of solidarity and support for earthquakes victims
November 12 earthquake shook the power of more than seven degrees Richter west of Iran. The earthquake has become a human disaster. Many people lost their lives during this process. Many were wounded, thousands displaced. The human catastrophic dimensions of this earthquake and the high vulnerability of people against it have deeply agitated the people. People are also protesting the lack of government assistance and even the blockage of people’s aid. A wave of solidarity and support for earthquakes victims has been launched in various cities of Iran. Labor and Social Associations such as the bus company Syndicate, the Haft Tapeh Sugarcane Syndicate, the Free Trade Union of Workers of Iran, the Writers ‘Association of Iran, the National Council of Teachers’ Associations, the Associations and Institutions of People in Different Cities, Mohsen Omrani, a Prisoned Teacher, have declared solidarity with the earthquake victims, They called all people for giving help to earthquake victims. And also many of whom have announced their readiness for this relief. This sponsored and global support is ongoing in the social media and among various sections of the population in Iran.
Workers Solidarity Network of the Middle East and North Africa (Coordinator: shahla.daneshfar2@gamil.com )
November 12 earthquake shook the power of more than seven degrees Richter west of Iran. The earthquake has become a human disaster. Many people lost their lives during this process. Many were wounded, thousands displaced. The human catastrophic dimensions of this earthquake and the high vulnerability of people against it have deeply agitated the people. People are also protesting the lack of government assistance and even the blockage of people’s aid. A wave of solidarity and support for earthquakes victims has been launched in various cities of Iran. Labor and Social Associations such as the bus company Syndicate, the Haft Tapeh Sugarcane Syndicate, the Free Trade Union of Workers of Iran, the Writers ‘Association of Iran, the National Council of Teachers’ Associations, the Associations and Institutions of People in Different Cities, Mohsen Omrani, a Prisoned Teacher, have declared solidarity with the earthquake victims, They called all people for giving help to earthquake victims. And also many of whom have announced their readiness for this relief. This sponsored and global support is ongoing in the social media and among various sections of the population in Iran.
November 20, 2017
Free Them Now
Producer: David Aram
News headlines from some labor protests in October, 2017
Workers Solidarity Network of the Middle East and North Africa (Coordinator: shahla.daneshfar2@gamil.com)
On the 25th of October, the workers of Pars Rubber Co., which manufactures heavy-duty car’s tier and subsidiaries of the Industry entered the second week of their strike. The reason for this strikewas that the company’s directors received astronomical salaries and extensive unemployment.
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– On Oct. 24, around 40 employees of the Persian Gulf Star Refinery headquarters in Tehran gathered in front of the refinery’s office in Tehran.
On Oct 24, 300 workers from the Persian Gulf Transportation Company held their second day of protest against Islamshahr governorate. 1200 workers of this company face the problem of paying their wages and salary from May.
On Oct 23: A group of 600 corporate employees of the SADERAT Bank, who were fired from the beginning of October, gathered in front of the assembly.
On Oct 23, Petrochemical workers gathered for a third consecutive day in protest of the postponement of their wages.
On October 22, Hepco workers in Arak gathered in front of the governorate of the city in protest of their three months’ salary and other arrears, due to their uncertainties job situation. The protests of the Hepco workers in September, along with Azarab workers, Their protest against the oppression of the police and the embezzlement, abusive and repression of the government and their radical slogans and protests reflected a widespread repression in the city of Arak and the whole of the society, with a wave of solidarity among the workers.
On the 22nd of October, about 400 workers of the South Pars phases 15 and 16 in protested against two months delay in payment of salaries and their low wages. At present, a social movement is underway to protest the lower salary levels. The movement, with the slogan of the poverty line is 4 million,(toman Iranian currency) , our wages is only one million expresses its desire to have a human life.
October 22, The protest of the Tabriz Combined Workers (Azerbaijan Industry Development), Entered the tenth day.
October 22, several thousand industrial workers, forest guards and a group of retired workers from the Mazandaran wood and paper factory gathered in the factory to protest against their non-payment of 2 months of salariea.
During the, 21st , 22th and 23th of October, a group of unemployed youth in Abadan gathered in protest of widespread unemployment and discrimination and inequality against the city’s governorate building.
October 21, workers from Isfahan casting industry gathered for 16 months of overdue rights and other claims that did not respond to one year after the complaint.
October 21, workers from the Mahshahr Port Petrochemical Company, stopped working due to lack of payment of some of their demands, such as the right to work and added pay for bad weather.
Oct. 21 More than 100 medical personnel from the Imam Khomeini Hospital in Falavarjan, Esfahan, gathered in protest against wage arrears. It has been estimated that nearly one year has not been paid for their wages and salaries. Nurses speak of their hard work and long night shifts.
October 18, Workers in Phases 22 and 24 of South Pars stationed of Kangan province stopped working in protest of non-payment of 4 months of salary and gathered front of these phases. The workers were also struck at the week before. The employer came to the workers’ meeting and promised to pay their wages.
October 18, 140 employees of the Abadan Bus Company gathered in front of the low level of salaries and months of their payment, disengagement from the carriageway and the entrance door of the company.
October 18, 90 workers from the Abadan Municipal Civil Construction Organization stopped working at their work in protest against the non-payment of one month’s salary and a couple of months of premium.
October 18, A group of workers working at the “Development of Azerbaijani Industry Development” factory, as they did yesterday, complained about the fact that they did not pay their wage demands on the factory’s premises today.
October 16, following the announcement of the termination of the Contractor’s contract for the Pardisan Park, a group of these workers sat in front of the building of the Environmental Protection Agency in the park.
October 16, a number of workers working on the reconstruction and restoration project of the old Bam citadel once again set up a protest rally for their wage arrears.
October 14, a number of workers at Tabriz Ball Manufacturing Factory gathered in front of the East Azerbaijan Governorate in protest against payment of their 7-month wage claims.
October 14, a number of employs and dismissed workers at the Emerging factory were gathered in the factory. Under pressure from the protests, a meeting was held Tuesday at the Islamshahr Labor Office. The workers protested that they did not have a 5-month premium of 94 and 95 years and did not pay 14 to 15 months of wages of 95 and 96 years.
October 14, Steelworkers in Gainat gathered in protest against the delay in paying their 5-month pay and prevented the employer from entering the factory.
October 14, Preschool Teachers Meeting with the General Directorate of Education in Guilan for the second day with a desire to recruit in education
The families of the backpack carrier who were killed in the Baneh city by governments police forces gathered in front of the building of the Judiciary Organization of the Armed Forces in Sanandaj.
On October 10 and 30, gathered in front of the Government’s Planning and Budget Organization office. The population was large and retirees from other cities were also present and the presence of women was very impressive. In this move, the protest crowd protested with their slogans against poverty, thefts, discrimination, and inequality. Emphasized solidarity. And called for salaries to rise above the poverty line of 4 million, (toman Iranian currency), free treatment and a human life.
On October 24, More than 700 retired steelworkers gathered in front of the governorate to protest against the payment of a month’s salary and pay a salary in time. They closed the street. The workers also gathered in the same place on the tenth of October. These workers are protesting the low level of salaries.
On October 24, Mohammad Jarrahi, a popular worker, a militant and leftist worker, was buried in Tabriz’s Wadi Rah mat Cemetery with the presence of family members, colleagues and a large number of people in Tabriz. At his memorial the speakers talked Against the Trojan of Capitalism and that socialism was the only way to liberation and solidarity of the workers. This ceremony ended with the International Anthem.
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-On October 28, Mahmoud Salehi, a prominent figure and worker activists, was detained by the Islamic Republic’s secret police in front of the hospital door while the dialysis machine was attached to him and transferred to Saqez prison for a one-year imprisonment.
Arresting Mahmoud Salehi while undergoing hospitalization and dialysis, while he is in dire need of dialysis every week, and his failure to do so puts him at risk. Highlights the cruelty of the criminal Islamic regime.
Mahmoud Salehi has been infected with a variety of diseases in the prisons of the Islamic Republic of Iran, and his arrest, while he needs the regular care of his kidneys, is playing with his life. The Islamic Republic is responsible for everything that happens to Mahmoud Salehi. We strongly condemn this brutalization of the Islamic regime and call for its immediate release.
-The latest news from imprisoned teachers:
Esmail Abdi and Mahmoud Beheshti. Two members of the board of of Teachers Association of Tehran are in Quarantine Sect of Evin. According to the news on October 24, criminal agents of the security guards of Evin Prison raided this section, which is currently the location of a number of political prisoners, and intercepted political prisoners while breaking glasses.
In addition, Mohsen Omrani, a protesting teacher in Bushehr and Mokhtar Asadi, a member of the Kurdish Teachers’ Association, are sentenced to one year in prison. An important challenge for teachers is the freedom of teachers and all political prisoners. Teachers have expressed this call repeatedly in their protests and campaigns.
– Reza Shahabi, a member the executive board of the Union of Workers of Tehran and Suburbs, has been sentenced to more than 968 more days of imprisonment, despite having spent six years in jail. He went on hunger strike in protest of this verdict. After an extended campaign of support and solidarity with him, after 50 days, he terminated his hunger strike by promising the prosecutor to prosecute his case. But nothing has been done for him yet. Among them, on October 26, it was decided to transfer him to the hospital due to his bad condition, but according to a report released by his wife, Robabeh Rezaie, because he did not want chains on his hands and feet, so, they cancelled.
– Jafar Azimzadeh, head of the board of directors of the Free Trade Union of Workers of Iran, by enforcment order byThe judicial authorities has been pressured to return him to jail.
The news of Mahmoud Salehi’s arrest accompanied many protests. Workers’ associations such as the Kermanshah Electric and Metal Workers Association, the Free Trade Union of Workers of Iran, have condemned this brutal arrest and demanded an immediate release from prison.
In addition, there is now a powerful campaign inside and globally for the release of him and Reza Shahabi, Esmail Abdi , Mahmoud Beheshti, Mohsen Amrani, Mokhtar Asadi, Athena Permanent and all political prisoners. Also in protest of the pressure to bring Jafar Azimzadeh to jail, a mass protest has been launched. Please support us and support Campaign Against Securitizing Workers’, Teachers’, and the General Public’s Protests in Iran.
Mahmoud Salehi was released
The Latest news from imprisoned teachers
Latest news about Reza Shahabi
Pressure on Jafar Azimzadeh to force him back to the jail
November 23, 2017, Mahmoud Salehi a well known worker activist after a widespread global campaign was released from prison. Thank you for all your support.
He was in prison for 24 days. 24 days in prison he was released. He was sentenced to one year in prison and after 24 days jail released. He was fined to 3milion instead of going to prison
Mahmoud Salehi was exposed to and contracted a variety of diseases when previously in the prisons of the Islamic Republic of Iran.. He is undergoing hospitalization and dialysis, and he is in dire need of dialysis every week and has severe heart problems. Despite this situation, the Islamic regime arrested and imprisoned him and sentenced him to one year jail. This highlights the cruelty of the criminal Islamic regime.
He should be treated immediately and free of charge.
-Esmail Abdi and Mahmoud Beheshti, two members of the executive board of Teachers Association of Tehran are in the fourth quarantine cell of Evin prison. According to the latest news, on October 24th, criminal agents of the security guards of Evin prison raided this cell, which is currently the place where a number of political prisoners are being held. With this raid, they beat up the prisoners and vandalized the cell.
In addition, Mohsen Omrani, a protesting teacher in Bushehr; and Mokhtar Asadi, a member of the Kurdistan Teachers’ Association, have been sentenced to one year in prison. An important challenge for teachers is to demand freedom for their fellow teachers and all other political prisoners. Teachers have expressed this call repeatedly in their protests and campaigns but are not being heard by the government.
-Reza Shahabi, a well-known member the executive board of the Union of Workers of Tehran and Suburbs, has been sentenced to more than 968 more days of imprisonment, despite having spent six years in jail. He went on a hunger strike in protest of this verdict. After an extended campaign of support and solidarity with him, after 50 days, he conditionally halted his hunger strike after promises from the authorities to look into his condition. But he is still in jail.
-Judicial authorities have issued an order to enforce returning Jafar Azimzadeh, chair of the board of directors of the Free Trade Union of Workers of Iran, to the prison by wanting to confiscate what is called bail on his release.
There is now a powerful campaign both inside Iran and globally which has been launched for the release of Reza Shahabi, Esmail Abdi, Foad Zandi, Mahmoud Beheshti, Mohsen Amrani, Mokhtar Asadi, Athena Daemi and all political prisoners. There is also protests against pressure on Ja’far Azim Zadeh to bring him back to jail. Please support us and support the Campaign Against Secularizing Workers’, Teachers’ and the General Public’s Protests in Iran.
mpaign to Free Jailed Workers
Shahla.daneshfar2@gmail.com
November 23, 2017
Ca
Producer: David Aram
News headlines from some labor protests in September, 2017
– dismissed workers of the Persian Gulf Red Star Refinery after two days protest gathering in Tehran, returned to Bandar Abbas with promise of Goverment,s labor ministry . And they continued their protests in Bandar Abbas on September 27th. The protest of these workers is due to unemployment and postponement of payment of 5 months’ wages.
– On September 25, a group of workers from the village water and sewage company in Kermanshah gathered in protest of their unpaid wages and for their insurance right in front of Islamic parliament in Tehran.
-September 26, a group of power plant workers in Behbahan combined cycle gathered in protest of their unpaid wages and their insurance in front of this Powerhouse.
– On September 25, a group of Ahwazi fuel station fire workers gathered in front of the Iranian National Oil Products Distribution Company (NPO) in anger for lack of job security under the name of privatization.
-On September 25, 200 workers from the parks and green spaces of the Yazd Municipality gathered in protest against their two months’ unpaid wages in front of the building of the city council and the municipality.
-On September 26 workers of Ball Bearing in Tabriz gathered for their six months unpaid wages.
-On September 24, about 200 seasonal workers of Haft Tapeh gathered at the Haft Tapeh Industrial Complex in protest of the failure to fulfill their insurance claims by the employer in front of the Khuzestan Governorate building.
-On September 24, a crowd of workers from the Esfandoukh Chromic Mine gathered in protest against the unemployment of three of their colleagues and failure to pay part of their paychecks to the governor’s office and the Kerman General Office.
-On September 24, Sirjan No. 3 workers gathered in protest against unemployment and non-renewal of their contracts with the governor of the city.
– On September 25, the Union of Workers of Tehran and Suburbs United Bus Company convened a protest assembly in support of Reza Shahabi, of member of the executive board of the syndicate, in front of governments labour ministry building . In this protest gathering e workers of the bus company, the students, and a number of teachers participated. They were chanting : Shahabi Shahabi should be free, the freedom of the Shahabi is our immediate demand, the Prisoner Worker must be free, the worker Does not accept this. , Shabbeh, Beheshti, Abdi, must be freed, prisoner worker, prisoner teacher, must be freed. The worker, Student, Teacher United, Long live, Azarab, Hepco, Iran’s Labor Minister is the enemy of the workers.
In This gathering protesters expressed their solidarity with Reza Shahabi, with the workers and teachers and with the workers of Azarab and Hepco, and protested against the repression of the government.
Reza Shahabi struck a hunger strike on August 8 in protest of his return to jail and condemning him to 968 of imprisonment. His physical condition was reported to be severe. On September27, after requesting by the Union of Workers of Tehran and Suburbs United Bus Company, the union of the workers of Haft Tapeh Cane suger industry and after promising the judicial authorities to address his demands.
ended his hunger strike.
On September 26, Mozaffar Salehnia, a member of the board of the the Free Union of Workers of Iran , was arrested at his office in Sanandaj.
On the other hand, On September26 Tehran’s Prosecutor’s Office issued announced that the confiscation of the bail of Jafar Azimzadeh, the executive board of the Free Union of workers of Iran, had been issued and within 10 days it”s confiscation would be finalized.
On September 24, Behnam Ebrahimzadeh, a well-known worker who was arrested in a protest rally on September 13 in support of Gohardasht political prisoners and their protest against the plight of prisons, was released.
Valeh Zamani was a member of the board of directors of the Alborz province Painters Syndicate, another worker activist that had been arrested on September 22, was released on September29.
On September 25, Support letter of presedent of Danish Union of Workers’ to Khamenei and Rohani :
On behalf of 280,000 Danish workers, including transport workers, we strongly urge you to take all necessary steps for our immediate and unconditional release of our colleague Reza Shahabi, a member of the board of directors and treasury The Syndicate of Workers of the Tehran Bus Company, which is imprisoned on August 9, 2017.
Reza and our other union colleagues have been imprisoned for their work in defence of the interests of workers, and this is a trampling up of international conventions on labour rights and human rights.
– Joe Hartman, Secretary-General of the Union of Trade Unions of Vancouver and Suburbs, on behalf of 60,000 workers, in an open letter to the Rohany, protested to trample on the basic rights of workers in Iran.
In this letter Joe Hartman with Referring to specific cases, such as the arrest of Reza Shahabi, a member of the board of directors of the Syndicate and his disturbing situation in the prison, The issuance of a brutal whipping sentence for Shapour Ehsani Rad,and the arrest of the three Protest teacher Esmail Abdi, Mohsen Omrani and Mahmoud Beheshti And the issuance of prison sentences for Taher Ghaderzadeh and Reza Moslem, two other teachers, and Pressure on Jafar Azimzadeh president of the Free Workers Union of Iran to seize his bail for returning him to jail, and Ali Nejati of the Haft Tape Sugarcane company, demanded an end to the ongoing violations of the workers’ basic rights and the immediate release of the arrested.
Workers of the world united
Workers Solidarity Network of the Middle East and North Africa (Coordinator: shahla.daneshfar2@gamil.com
Producer: David Aram
Special issue
Azarab and Hepco protests in
1,800 workers of Azarab and more than 1,000 Hepco workers in Arak were protesting and fighting for their unpaid and stolen wages and in defense of their lives and livelihoods. On September 28th, the protests of these workers were pulled down into the street and gave the city a different space. In addition to Hepco and Arak, Pars wagon companies, Arak combines and machinery are in a similar situation and now Arak has become one of the hottest hotbeds of the protest.
Azar ab has 6 months of unpaid wages. And the risk of closure of the factory and unemployment threatens them. On the 28th of September, the protesters of Azarab workers. When they left the factory, they moved toward road Arak – Tehran and closed it completely. To follow their demands. At the same time, Hepco workers first gathered near their own factory, they chanted, sing and blocked the Arak railway line. .. Hepco workers have taken their wages in an incomplete way from the January of 1995, and the factory’s precarious situation has put unemployment risk on their heads.
The repressive forces of the regime attacked to the workers of Azarab. Workers also with the slogans “mercenary get lost”, Dishonorable, Dishonorable confronted them. On this day, the police force pulled their force into the street and tried to disperse the workers by firing plastic bullets. And the workers stood up and announced that they would come to the street tomorrow. Thus, the city of Arak became the scene of the street protest of the workers of Azarab and Hepco with the suppressors of the Islamic state. On this day, the workers of Hepco intended to join the Azarab workers’ protest to confront the police, which Government special guard prevented them with tear gas. Then, on September 29, workers’ protests continued, and Government special guard tried to tear gas, preventing the gathering of workers, and the workers continued to protest against the police. Following the perseverance of the workers against the oppressors and the widespread the news in the city and in the other factories, the military commander central province and apologized the workers immediately in the Islamic Republic’s T.V. In the aftermath of these events, the workers continued their protests. on the first day of October, Heoco workers gathered in protest of the special guard attack on Azarab workers and tear gas throwing at them in their gathering. They objected to poverty, discrimination, inequality, and repression.
The workers of Hekko on October 5 coincided with the visit of the Rabiei labour Minister of government to Arak, In protest to postpone the payment of wages, the risk of unemployment and the onslaught of the law enforcement force to their protests closed the railway track. Rabiei who has been sent to Arak by Rouhani’s orders, announced on this day that it will be paid to the Azarab plant through a banking facility of 20 billion tomans(Iranian currency), and also the manager of the factory will be changed, as well as the purchase of raw materials and salary rights for workers. Also the 30 billion tomans(Iranian currency) is available to the Hepco plant to spend on equipment and part of the salary rights of the factory workers. Rabieh promised that part of the rights of Hepco workers will be paid on October6. We still have to see the result of these promises. But it is clear that the united and powerful struggle of Azarab and Hepco workers forced the government to retreat.
. A significant point in these protests is the formation of a solidarity of workers with the struggle of the Azarab workers of Arak and Hepco.
For example the workers of Hormozgan Aluminum, with an interesting initiative, in solidarity with Azarab workers gathered and took a placard and announced their protest againt attack by law enforcement officers to Azarab workers. Subsequent to the Arak Aluminum Workers, Arak Machine Engineers, and a number of workers in Sanandaj declared solidarity by taking banners in condemnation of the law enforcement raid on Azarab workers.
Teachers also joined this solidarity in organizing their nationwide demonstrations on the occasion of the World Teacher’s Day on October5 and to follow their demands, with the posters That witten on “On October 5th do not forget of Azarab and Hepco”. Also in the protest rally of the Syndicate of Workers and collectives of labor activists, teachers, students and social activists in support of Reza Shahabi, a jailed labor activist in front of the government,s labour Ministry building in Tehran, one of the slogans of the gatherers was in support of Azarab and Hepco workers. And the latest example of the solidarity is the protests of the industrial students of Arak on the 4th of October in the main campus. These supports and solidarity are continuing. Meanwhile, prominent leaders and figures and various workers’ organizations condemned the raids of the workers with their protest statements and supported the struggles of Azarab and Hepco workers. These correlations, in their turn, are a great worker’s strength against poverty, discrimination, inequality, and for having a decent human life.
Workers of the world united
Workers Solidarity Network of the Middle East and North Africa
Mahmoud Salehi was arrested
The latest news from imprisoned teachers
Latest news about Reza Shahabi
Pressure on Jafar Azimzadeh to force him back to the jail
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* Imprisonment of Mahmoud Salehi:
On October 28, Mahmoud Salehi, a prominent figure and a labour activist, while the dialysis machine was still attached to him, was detained in the hospital by the Islamic Republic’s secret police and transferred to Saqez prison.
Arresting Mahmoud Salehi while undergoing hospitalization and dialysis, while he is in dire need of dialysis every week, puts him at a very high risk. This highlights the cruelty of the criminal Islamic regime.
Mahmoud Salehi was exposed to and contracted a variety of diseases when previously in the prisons of the Islamic Republic of Iran. His arrest, while needing regular care for his kidneys, puts his life in danger. The Islamic Republic is responsible for anything that may happens to Mahmoud Salehi. We strongly condemn this brutalization of the Islamic regime and call for Salehi’s immediate release.
* The latest news from imprisoned teachers:
Esmail Abdi and Mahmoud Beheshti, two members of the executive board of Teachers Association of Tehran are in #4 quarantine cell of Evin prison. According to the latest news on October 24, criminal agents of the security guards of Evin prison raided this cell, which is currently the place where a number of political prisoners being held. With this raid, they beat up the prisoners and vandalized the cell.
In addition, Mohsen Omrani, a protesting teacher in Bushehr; and Mokhtar Asadi, a member of the Kurdistan Teachers’ Association, are sentenced to one year in prison. An important challenge for teachers is to demand freeing of their fellow teachers and all other political prisoners. Teachers have expressed this call repeatedly in their protests and campaigns.
* Reza Shahabi was not attended to:
Reza Shahabi, a well-known member the executive board of the Union of Workers of Tehran and Suburbs, has been sentenced to more than 968 more days of imprisonment, despite having spent six years in jail. He went on hunger strike in protest of this verdict. After an extended campaign of support and solidarity with him, after 50 days, he conditionally halted his hunger strike after promises from the authorities to look into his condition. But nothing has been done since. On October 26, it was decided to transfer him to the hospital due to his bad condition. According to a report released by his wife, Robabeh Rezaie, since he didn’t want to be on chains and shackles, this promise was not fulfilled and the plan to transfer him to the hospital was cancelled.
* Increased pressure to return Jafar Azimzadeh to prison:
Judicial authorities have issued an order to enforce returning Jafar Azimzadeh, chair of the board of directors of the Free Trade Union of Workers of Iran, to the prison by wanting to confiscate what is called bail on his release.
The news of Mahmoud Salehi’s arrest was greeted with anger and protests. Workers’ associations such as the Kermanshah Electric and Metal Workers Association, the Free Trade Union of Workers of Iran, have condemned this brutal arrest and demanded his immediate release. In addition, there is now a powerful campaign both inside Iran and globally has been launched for the release of Mahmoud Salehi, Reza Shahabi, Esmail Abdi, Mahmoud Beheshti, Mohsen Amrani, Mokhtar Asadi, Athena Permanent and all political prisoners, and in protest of the pressure to bring Jafar Azimzadeh to jail as well.
Please support us and support Campaign Against Securitizing Workers’, Teachers’, and the General Public’s Protests in Iran.
Campaign to Free Jailed Workers
Shahla.daneshfar2@gmail.com
October 31, 2017