The new Iranian labour movement stands at a crucial turning point. On 8 March over 35,000 teachers from
The teachers are just the latest section of workers who have had to take action to defend their rights. Since March 2005 the activists of the Trade Union of the Vahed Bus Company of
Many other struggles have taken place during the past three years. On many occasions the workers have been joined in their struggles by other sections of society, especially students. In Kurdish areas the population of whole towns have confronted the government in support of workers and labour activists. The workers’ struggles, and discussions on how to develop them, have now led to the formation of the Cooperation Council of Labour Organisations and Activists. It aims to create a broad united action bloc of workers.
In addition, women, unemployed youth, students and most national minorities have been involved in their own struggles against the destitution and injustices that the government has imposed on them. The aim of the ‘Iranian workers are not alone!’ campaign on 1st May 2007 is to call for the following points to be put into effect:
* Granting all workers’ demands, including the right to strike, to set up their own independent workers’ organisations, the right to free speech and assembly;
* An end to all physical attacks, arrests, murder and torture of workers and toilers in factories and working class areas;
* The unconditional release of all political prisoners and dropping all charges against Mansour Ossalou and all women, teachers and students detained during recent demonstrations.
We call on all trade unionists and labour activists of the world to support the
The new Iranian labour movement stands at a crucial turning point: with your support we can help it move forwards in restoring its previous gains. For details of the ‘Iranian workers are not alone!’ please refer to the IWSN website.
Free all labour activists imprisoned in
Long live the Iranian workers’ united bloc!
Long live international solidarity!
Iranian Workers’ Solidarity Network,
Workers’ Action Committee (
19 March 2007
Send your solidarity to: iranwsn@fastmail.fm