Worldwide solidarity with Iranian workers
As thousands of Iranian citizens took to the streets of Tehran and other cities to demand fairness in their national election process, workers around the world expressed their support for social justice in Iran. On 26 June, EI and its affiliates joined trade unionists and activists in many countries to demand justice for Iranian workers. Protests in front of embassies and letters to Iranian authorities sent a strong message to the Iranian authorities: Now is the time to respect human and trade union rights!
Together with the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC), the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) and the International Union of Food, Agricultural, Hotel, Restaurant, Catering, Tobacco and Allied Workers’ Associations (IUF), EI was among the four global union organisations representing over 170 million workers calling for the Iranian Action Day. This campaign was backed by Amnesty International. In Brussels, EI Deputy General Secretary Jan Eastman spoke at a rally in front of the Iranian Embassy. She emphasised that now is the time for trade union rights, both in law and practice. She urged the Government of Iran to drop all charges against unionists relating to trade union protest action, to annul their sentences, and to compensate them for damages suffered as a result of these charges and convictions. Eastman also said that now is the time to stay the death sentence against Iranian teacher unionist Farzad Kamangar, annul his conviction and release him from detention. In the name of the 30 million teachers represented by EI, Eastman also urged the Iranian authorities to release a number of imprisoned teacher trade union activists, including Sajad Khaksari, son of Mohamad Khaksari of the Iranian Teachers’ Trade Association, Hashem Khastar, Jafar Ebrahimi, Alireza Hashemi, and many teachers as yet unnamed. “EI demands that the Government of Iran stop arresting teachers – and instead, support them to do their job of educating the next generation for peaceful co-existence in a democratic and sustainable world, one in which all people have respect, dignity and hope for a decent life,” said Eastman. EI affiliates were actively involved worldwide on the Day of Action and demonstrated together with other unions in front of the Iranian embassies in their respective countries. In Asia-Pacific, in letters to Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, the Hong Kong Professional Teachers’ Union and the National Teachers’ Association in Taiwan demanded the right to freedom of association for teachers. Wu Chung-Tai, President of Taiwan’s NTA, called for the ratification of core ILO Conventions by the Iranian government, as well as the conclusion of collective bargaining agreements. In Indonesia, the PGRI participated in an action in Jakarta. The Malaysian NUTP collected signatures and called for sending protest letters to the Iranian government. The Australian Education Union joined other unions in calling upon their Government to press for an end to abuses and violations of workers’ rights in Iran. In Europe, the German affiliate GEW demanded “immediate and unconditional release of imprisoned trade union activists.” In Sweden the Lärarförbundet joined other Swedish trade unions in delivering a letter to the Iranian ambassador, stressing that “the introduction of democracy and internationally recognized human rights to the Iranian society is urgently needed.” British affiliates demonstrated in the UK, UNSA-Education in France and FE.CC.OO in Spain. In the Netherlands, teacher trade unionists from AOb used their General Council meeting on 26 June to discuss the issue and take individual photos showing solidarity with the Iranian workers. In North American, the Canadian Teachers’ Federation held a demonstration in the national capital, Ottawa. Emily Noble, CTF President, addressed the crowd: “Canadian teachers are appalled that the Government of Iran has banned the publication of the Iranian Teachers Trade Association called ‘Teachers’ Pen’. Freedom of expression and of association are fundamental human rights which we hold dear to our hearts.” In the United States, the National Education Association sent a letter to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton reminding her that members of the Iranian teachers’ union “have been assaulted and detained each time they have sought to meet. This continual disregard by the Iranian government of core labour standards and human rights is unacceptable.” They also requested her to urge Iranian authorities to immediately release Farzad Kamangar. This was the third Global Action Day of Solidarity with Iranian Workers and Teachers and clearly global and national trade unions will be back again next year if there is no positive change in Iran. Unions and Amnesty International are committed to continue to defend workers rights’ to freedom of assembly, of association and expression, in Iran and elsewhere. “Together we fight, together we win!”
