Iran , May Day statement‏ on behalf of Workers

international | worker & community struggles and protests | press release

Friday April 30, 2010 20:23

by pat c - Hands Off the People of Iran

For Immediate publication

This is a statement issued by Iranian workers on the occasion of May Day. HOPI is issuing it as a press release on their behalf. Futher information is available from Anne Mc Shane anne@hopoi.info 086 23 43 238

May 1st is the day of international solidarity of the working class and a day for laborers to protest global poverty and inequality. On this day millions of workers around the world stop working, to conquer the streets and show their anger and disgust with the announcement of the numerous disasters that capitalism has inflicted on humanity, and scream for liberation from oppression and exploitation.

Resounding protest against the hardship of capitalism and inequality of workers will be heard all around the world on May 1st while prohibition of celebration of this day in Iran is in effect, and many organizing workers of the May 1388/2009 event have been convicted and imprisoned and subjected to heavy sentences. Labor leaders and activists and are languishing in prison for defending their basic human rights.

Imposing such appalling lack of social rights for workers in conditions that in three decades of a capitalist system in Iran after the 1957 (1979) revolution, has reduced the minimum wage to a quarter below the poverty line and lack of timely payment of these wages and the firing of masses of workers, temporary contracts, have imposed hellish conditions on millions of workers families. Today more than ever to ensure the profitability of capital, factories are closed and subsidies cut in determination to cut the last threads of survival for millions of worker families and pour them into the pockets of investors.

But as we workers showed in the 1957 revolution as well as in recent years, we will not tolerate this misery and despite prison and repression will stand ahead with the people against violation of our most basic human rights and will not allow them to ruin our existence more. We are the main producers of all wealth and products in society and are entitled to human life in accordance with the highest standards of human life today.
In this context we also protest against circumstances since last Labor Day , since the masses in Iran have been exposed to suppression of their rights. We make the following demands and with immediate effect:

1 – We are free to act – independent of the government and our employers -to strike, protest, march, assemble and speak freely. This is our right and must be unconditional in recognition of the social rights of workers and the people of Iran.

2 – We see the plan to cut subsidies (by targeted subsidies) and the minimum wage of 303 Tomans as a gradual imposition of death of millions of working class families and demand immediate suspension of plans to cut subsidies and increase the minimum wage to one million Tomans.

3 – Workers wages in arrears are to be paid immediately and with no excuses. Non-payment should be prosecuted as a crime and damages caused to the workers must be paid for.

4 – The Dismissal of Workers by any excuse must be stopped and those who are unemployed or have attained the age of employment and are prepared to work must be given suitable unemployment insurance until employed.

5 – We want to eliminate temporary contracts and the signing of blank contracts and demand employment security for all workers and wage recipients in accordance with the highest standards of health and safety. We ask for the elimination of state governed environments from all facilities.

6 – We demand the eradication of the death penalty and the immediate and unconditional release of Ebrahim Madadi, Mansour Osanloo, Ali Nejati and all labor activists and other social movements and protestors from prison and a stop to the persecution against them.

7 – We condemn any aggression towards protest against violation of our rights and view this type of freedom expression as an irredeemable right of the public.

8 – We want to eradicate all laws that are discriminatory to women and to ensure full equality and the unconditional rights of women and men in all areas of social, economic, political, cultural and family life.

9 – We want all pensioners to enjoy a prosperous life without economic concern and to eliminate any discrimination in the payment of retirement pensions and benefits from their social security and health care.

10 – Child labor must be eradicated and all children must be entitled to educational facilities, health and welfare, independent of gender and race, religion, or social and economic status of their parents.

11 – We hereby announce our support for all liberal social movements, and strongly condemn arrest, trial and imprisonment of activists of any movement.

12 – We also announced strong support for the demands of teachers, nurses and other working classes of society and united with them, want to achieve their immediate demands

13 – We are part of the world’s workers and strongly condemn the dismissal and imposition of any discrimination of Afghan migrant workers and other nationalities.

14 – We appreciate all the support from international workers in and strongly support the protests and demands of workers worldwide and are united with them more than ever with emphasis on international solidarity of workers to escape the capitalist system.

15 – May 1st must be declared an official holiday in the country and included in the official calendar and any restrictions regarding recognition of the anniversary of this day will be abolished.

Long Live May 1st
Long live the international solidarity of workers
May 1, 2010 - Ordibehesht 11, 1389

Syndicate of Workers of Tehran and Suburbs Bus Company
Syndicate of Workers of Haft Tappeh Sugar Cane Company
Liberties Union of Workers
Staff of Open Metalwork and Mechanics Union
Inaugurated Board of the Syndicate of Painters
Association of Kermanshah Electrical Workers and Metalworks
Committee in Pursuit of Free trade Associations
Coordination Committee for the Creation of Labor Organizations
Association for the Defense of Dismissed and Unemployed Turpentine Workers
Women’s Council

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Comments (6 of 6)

May Day in Tehran

by pat c

Sat May 01, 2010 21:44

Vid of demo at Tehran University

Caption: Video Id: ifBuvHzMAj4 Type: Youtube Video
Tehran University, May 1 2010

more vids

Sat May 01, 2010 21:48

Tehran University on 1 may - 4 films
www.peykeiran.com/Content.aspx?ID=16210

technical UNI in tehran today
slogan : down with dictator
http://www.peykeiran.com/Content.aspx?ID=16209

Iran hangs Trade Unionist 8 May

by Sean Og

Wed May 12, 2010 08:13

Some of you will remember the jailed Iranian trade unionist Farzad Kamangar (pictured).

He was the subject of a LabourStart campaign more than a year ago.

Kamangar was accused by the regime of "endangering national security" and "enmity against God".

He was convicted in a sham trial that lasted less than five minutes, sent to prison and tortured.

Teachers' unions around the world campaigned for his release, backed by the labour movement and human rights groups like Amnesty International.

Last weekend, the Iranian regime executed Farzad together with several other prisoners.

He was hanged secretly, without his family being informed, in the notorious Evin prison in Tehran.

As the one-year anniversary of Iran's fraudulent Presidential elections approaches, we have reason to fear that the regime will become even more brutal in its crackdown.

Other trade unionists languishing in Iranian jails now fear for their lives too.

We must act now to send a loud and clear message to Tehran -- no more executions!

Iran --- message was from Labour Start -missed that out

Wed May 12, 2010 10:20

LabourStart

Where trade unionists start their day on the net.

Some of you will remember the jailed Iranian trade unionist Farzad Kamangar

He was the subject of a LabourStart campaign more than a year ago.

Kamangar was accused by the regime of "endangering national security" and "enmity against God".

He was convicted in a sham trial that lasted less than five minutes, sent to prison and tortured.

Teachers' unions around the world campaigned for his release, backed by the labour movement and human rights groups like Amnesty International.

Last weekend, the Iranian regime executed Farzad together with several other prisoners.

He was hanged secretly, without his family being informed, in the notorious Evin prison in Tehran.

As the one-year anniversary of Iran's fraudulent Presidential elections approaches, we have reason to fear that the regime will become even more brutal in its crackdown.

Other trade unionists languishing in Iranian jails now fear for their lives too.

We must act now to send a loud and clear message to Tehran -- no more executions!

Please take a minute and send off your message.

And afterwards, please make sure to spread the word in your union.

We must act quickly to save the lives of our fellow trade unionists.

At a time like this, we cannot remain silent.

Thank you.

Eric Lee

Check out our home page for breaking labour news from around the world.
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Spread the word - pass on this message to your co-workers and fellow union members.

Don't let them execute our youngsters‏

by Maryam Namazie

Wed May 12, 2010 11:56

‘Today, my work has just begun,’ mother of executed political prisoner, Farzad Kamangar
‘If we stay silent, these executions will continue,’ Mohammad Amin Kamangar, brother of executed political prisoner Farzad Kamangar

In the early hours of Sunday 9 May 2010, the Islamic regime of Iran executed political prisoners Farzad Kamangar, Ali Heydarian, Farhad Vakili, Shirin Alam-Houli and Mehdi Eslamian. The four young men and one woman were executed for their political opposition to the regime. Farzad Kamangar was a teacher and human rights activist who was arrested in 2006 and charged with ‘enmity against God’ in a ‘trial’ that lasted seven minutes. Mehdi Islamian was arrested on May 4, 2009 and spent six months in solitary confinement; his brother has also been executed. Shirin Alam Hooli was arrested in May 2008 in Tehran and sentenced to death in November 2009. Ali Heydarian and Farhad Vakili were imprisoned since 2006/2007.

The sentences were carried out in secret, without their families or lawyers being informed, and despite the fact that three of the cases were under review. The Islamic regime has refused to hand over the bodies of the dead unless their families guarantee that there will be no protests in Iran and abroad.

Since yesterday, thousands have gathered in protests at the Islamic Republic’s embassies and consulates in various cities across the globe. In London, Paris and Frankfurt angry demonstrators pelted the buildings with eggs, red paint and stones. The families of the five had called for a demonstration outside Tehran University in Iran on Monday 10 May, which was attacked by the regime’s security forces. On May 13 a general strike has been called in Iranian Kurdistan and elsewhere. Many are expected to join this day of protest.

Iran Solidarity is outraged at the executions of the five political prisoners as well as the recent execution of 45 Afghan immigrants in Iran and calls on people everywhere to stand in protest against executions in Iran and everywhere by joining the May 13 general strike and ongoing protests at the regime’s embassies or consulates or by carrying out acts of solidarity against executions wherever they are. Another 27 political prisoners are at imminent risk of execution and need public support.

Farzad Kamangar’s mother recently said: ‘If anyone can do anything, please do. Do not let them execute youngsters en masse. You and the world shall be my defence. Please let the world hear my plea.’

And more executions in IRAN this time KURDS from PJAK

Thu May 13, 2010 09:23

+++SOURCE: Jordan Times 10 May '10:"Iran hangs 5
members of Kurdish
'terrorist'
group",Reuters

TEHRAN (Reuters) - Iran hanged five members of a
Kurdish
"anti-revolutionary" group for various charges,
including "moharebe" or
waging war against God, the official IRNA news
agency reported on Sunday(9
May)
. . . (They) were members of the Party of Free
Life of Kurdistan (PJAK), an
offshoot of the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK)
which took up arms in 1984 for
an ethnic homeland in southeast Turkey and
northwest Iran.
. . . Iran sees PJAK, which seeks autonomy for
Kurdish areas in Iran and
shelters in Iraq's northeastern border provinces,
as a terrorist group.
In recent years, Iranian forces have often clashed
with PJAK guerrillas, who
operate out of bases in northern Iraq. Kurds are
large minorities in Turkey,
Iran, Iraq and Syria.

The five Kurdish activists were convicted in 2008.
They were hanged after a
supreme court upheld their death sentences.. . .
Like Iraq and Turkey, Iran has a large Kurdish
minority, mainly living in
the Islamic republic's northwest and west. The
United States, Iran's arch
foe, in February 2009 also branded PJAK as a
terrorist organisation.

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Iran , May Day statement‏ on behalf of Workers

Comments (6 of 6)