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Iranian Sugar Workers' Union Needs Your Support
international |
worker & community struggles and protests |
news report
Monday February 23, 2009 10:42 by pat c
In southern Iran an independent workers union is defending a legal case taken against them by the Revolutionary Court and they need your support. The strike began when thousands of workers from every section of the plant downed tools to protest after not being paid for two months. A petition to the provincial labour department with thousands of signatures triggered mass arrests and repeated attacks by police, security forces and Revolutionary Guards. A mass demonstration on 16 June by workers and their families ending at an assembly which elected officers of an independent trade union. The Haft Tapeh union is now a member of the The International Union of Food, Agricultural, Hotel, Restaurant, Catering, Tobacco and Allied Workers' Associations (IUF). |
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Jump To Comment: 1 2if Iran had any sense it would treat it's workers fairly. spreading their faith & generally hating the west is one thing; lifting up their poor citizens might be a better use of energy & resources.
Iran has 12 million people living below the poverty line, six million of whom are not supported by any foundation or organization.
Although Iranian workers have, in theory, a right to form labour unions, there is, in actuality, no union system in the country. The right of workers to strike is generally not respected by the state, and since 1979 strikes have often been met by police action.
Iran's economy also has to contend with Bonyads. these are controversial charitable trusts in Iran that dominate Iran's non-petroleum economy, controlling an estimated 20% of Iran's GDP.
Bonyad companies also compete with Iran's unprotected private sector, whose firms complain of the difficulty of competing with bonyad firms whose political connections provide government permits and subsidies which eliminate worries over the need to make a profit in many market sectors. These Bonyads, by their very presence, hamper healthy economic competition, efficient use of capital and other resources, and growth.
a bit like the big tent at the Galway races, lads.....but let's hope they have their own Persian version of Larkin or Connolly
Ali Nedjati, president of the executive committee of the Haft Tapeh Sugar Cane Company Workers’ Union, and Reza Rakhshan, the Public Relations director of the Union were arrested on February 28, 2009. Reza was summoned to the intelligence office on February 28th office and was immediately arrested upon his arrival. Later his home was raided by security forces and his belongings including some personal items and others that belonged to the Union as well as books and computer were confiscated.
A few hours later, intelligence agents raided Ali Nedjati’s house and arrested him. Rahim Boshagh, a member of the Union executive committee was arrested on February 22, 2009 and he is still incarcerated.
Union activists fears more arrests in next few days. These attacks are part of the government crack down on labour activists in Iran. In particular, Haft Tapeh Workers’ Union has been very active amongst workers, as the result of which workers of Haft Tapeh Sugar Cane Company refused to participate in the Islamic labour council’s election in the company.
The Islamic Labour Council is a government-sponsored and pro-employer instrument for controlling and repressing independent labour activities in the company. According to the Collaborating Council of Labour Organizations and Activists in Iran, in total only about 30 employees took part in the Islamic labour council’s election on February 22, 2009 despite more than five thousands employees in the company. That was considered a complete defeat of these repressive forces.
In addition five members of the board of directors of the Haft Tapeh Workers’ Syndicate, including Mr. Nedjati, were put on trial on February 17th and 23rd and were waiting for their verdict. Most arrested and persecuted workers have been charged with "acting against national security", which is an allegation used frequently by the Islamic Republic of Iran against labour and social activists.
Sources: LabourStart, IUF.