Four global union organisations representing over 170 million workers have formed a coalition to focus the world's attention on the ongoing persecution of trade unionists in Iran. The coalition is calling on unions to mobilize their members on June 26 for rallies outside Iranian embassies and consulates around the world.
Backed by Amnesty International, the coalition consists of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC)), Education International, the International Transport Workers’ Federation, and the International Union of Food, Agricultural, Hotel, Restaurant, Catering, Tobacco and Allied Workers' Associations (IUF).
Its immediate demands are for the unconditional release of all jailed trade unionists in Iran, including Mansour Osanloo, Ebrahim Madadi, Farzad Kamangar and leadership of the Haft Tapeh Sugarworkers’ Union, as well as the trade unionists arrested in Tehran on May Day.
Says Guy Ryder, ITUC General Secretary: "We have exhausted all avenues of reasonable dialogue to persuade the government of Iran to allow basic human and trade union rights. Their answer has been repression and arrests. Given this failure we must take to the streets to demonstrate that the world is watching what they are doing and what is happening to our colleagues within the country."
Its immediate demands are for the unconditional release of all jailed trade unionists in Iran, including Mansour Osanloo, Ebrahim Madadi, Farzad Kamangar and leadership of the Haft Tapeh Sugarworkers’ Union, as well as the trade unionists arrested in Tehran on May Day.
Says Guy Ryder, ITUC General Secretary: "We have exhausted all avenues of reasonable dialogue to persuade the government of Iran to allow basic human and trade union rights. Their answer has been repression and arrests. Given this failure we must take to the streets to demonstrate that the world is watching what they are doing and what is happening to our colleagues within the country."The ITF and ITUC are also leading the movement to rebuild bridges between Palestinian and Israeli workers, through Trade Unions Linking Israel and Palestine (TULIP).
More background: 1. Support the Iranian People; Oppose Tehran's Clerical Fascism. 2. What We Want for Ourselves, We Demand for All. 3. May Day Arrests in Iran. 4. What Iranian Dissidents Need.