Following the strong truck drivers’ strike in more than 250 cities in Iran that started from 20th September, Islamic regimes’ judiciary authorities have arrested tens of truck drivers so that it can stop the strike. They have no real answer to driver’s demands and try to push it back by these arrests. However, the striking workers have managed to attract massive public support by their legitimate demands, convincing arguments and splendid use of social media and modern communication techniques. The strike goes on despite the threats, intimidation and arrests.
Truck drivers are protesting high prices, unemployment, lack of job security, non-payment of salaries, lack of right to form associations and labor unions, and failure to comply with their promises. One of the protests by truck drivers is protesting the road insecurity and disregarding this job as a detrimental one.
The driver’s protests are subjects of the protest of all the ordinary people, including workers, teachers and retirees in Iran. Hence, truck driver’s strike have been greatly supported.
For your information these drivers had another strike on June that spread to 170 cities and towns, and with some promises by the authorities the drivers temporarily stopped the strike. But none of the obligations was fulfilled and no positive change was there in their circumstances.
The workers who were in negotiations with authorities over their working conditions and welfare ended up with no choice but to go on strike again. The response to the strike by the Islamic regime that is incapable of addressing the issues has been to face the workers with armed forces and judiciary as their last resource to face their opposition.
This opposition to injustice, inequality and repression deserves the highest respect and unconditional support of all workers organisations and all the people around the world.
“ Free Them Now” expects all unions around the world specially all the transport unions to support the struggles and demands of the truck drivers in Iran.
“Free Them Now” calls for condemning these arrests and the threat and repression of the worker’s protests in Iran and calling for the immediate release of detained striking drivers.
Please send your protest letters to Islamic regime;s authorities. We appreciate if you send a copy to Free Them Now address.
Campaign to Free Jailed Workers in Iran(Free Them Now)
Shahla.daneshfar2@gmail.com
September, 30, 2018