The Arrested Workers of the Haft Tapeh Sugarcane Factory should be Released Immediately
On the evening of July 25, 2017, 5 workers named Ahmed Kasir, Behzad Nazari, Hadi Tefah, Abdolah Zadeh (2 brothers), and Sabah Savari were arrested at their homes. These workers have been arrested after a massive protest by the Haft Tapeh workers for their unpaid wages. On July 26, the Haft Tapeh workers gathered, to follwow their demands and for the immediate release of their colleagues. On the same day, 5 workers named Rahim Chenaneh, Kazem Chenani, Yaser Hamidi, Amad Moradi, and Yaber Hovizeh who were arrested at work, were released on bail. It is said that 31 workers are on the police arresting list. Yet, the strike continues. Sugar cane workers and families of the detainees are following the situation of the arrested. The workers request the immediate release of their colleagues.
The Haft Tapeh sugar cane complex workers demand the immediate payment of three months of their unpaid wages, the payment of a 4% contribution to the retirement of all retired workers, the layoffs to be stopped and an end to the militarization of the factory premises.
The Haft Tapeh workers are demanding full payment of wages and benefit arrears, and the recognition of the haft tapeh workers union as the workers’ legal representative.
Workers at the giant Haft Tapeh sugar cane Complex in the southern city of Shush have always had to fight for their wages and their rights. In 2008, workers formed an independent union – affiliated to the IUF – following a 42-day strike to demand long-standing wage arrears. Union leaders have endured arrest, prison and blacklisting. More than half of the Haft Tapeh sugar cane complex workers have no permanent employment contracts and live in permanent insecurity.
Current and retired workers and their family members have been harassed and threatened with closure of the company if they continue to demand their rights. Workers are routinely threatened, dismissed and kept under constant surveillance of the security forces.
Since October 2016 until this june and july workers of Haft Tapeh Complex have had to repeatedly hold strikes and demonstration to demand payment of their agreed wages and benefits. The Haft Tapeh sugar cane Complex workers need your urgent support.
International Union of Food, Agricultural, Hotel, Restaurant, Catering, Tobacco and Allied Workers’ Association (IUF), has issued a petition in support of the demands and struggles of the workers of the Haft Tapeh sugar cane. Labor Start, has also published a petition in support of the demands and struggles of the Haft Tapeh sugar cane workers.
Free Them Now asks you to support the Campaign to support the struggles and demands of the Haft Tapeh sugar cane workers by writing protest letters to the Islamic Regime of Iran for arresting 8 Strike workers of the Haft Tapeh and condemn the workers’ repression and call for their release.
Free Them Now! Campaign to Free Jailed Workers in Iran
Coordinator: shahla.Daneshfar2@gmail.com
https://free-them-now.com
27/07/17
https://www.iufcampaigns.org/campaigns/show_campaign.cgi…