2016 June 3
Guy Ryder
Secretary General
International Labour Organisation
The ILO and other institutions have been made aware of systemic State/Employer organised brutality against Iranian workers and their representatives. These are examples of widespread industrial terrorist acts against workers. How is it that Iran is able to remain members of the ILO when these instances are brought to your attention. What has the ILO done to ensure that Iran and its institutions including employers are unable to systematically deny Iranian workers the justice they deserve, whether it be continued exploitation, denying fundamental human rights, repression and other acts of barbarity.
Workers executed, beaten, flogged and whipped, abhorrent examples of exploited child labour, workers threatened and intimidated, workers denied basic freedoms such as the right to organise, the right to freedom of political expression, and others are daily occurrences in Iran. All these instances are continuing to occur and have been communicated to the ILO. Surely the lack of meaningful action against Iran demonstrates complicity in these crimes. It is disconcerting and shameful for any organisation purporting values and principles such that the ILO and other global institutions advertise, yet seemingly wilfully ignore.
The Maritime Union of Australia Sydney Branch condemns Iran for their continued brutality against workers and their representatives, we condemn equally the institutions and individuals who allow for these barbarous acts to be committed against workers without any significant campaign to eradicate the laws that justify them.
We call upon the ILO to immediately dismiss the membership of Iran from the ILO. We call upon the ILO to immediately call upon Iran to release all political and industrial prisoners, for Iran to eradicate any legislation that allows for state/employer sponsored execution, imprisonment or other punishments and the creation of legislation that protects human rights and access to those rights.
if you wish to discuss this matter please do not hesitate to contact me.
Regards,
Paul McAleer
Sydney Branch Secretary
Maritime Union of Australia
Level 1 365-375 Sussex Street
Sydney NSW 2000
