Solidarity with Iranian Workers

The ITF and its affiliates, together with the ITUC and members of Global Unions have been campaigning in support of independent workers' movement in Iran. For more than 20 years, state-run Workers House and Islamic Council exist but have failed to represent workers' genuine demands. Tehran Bus Workers' Union (Vahed Syndicate) was established in May 2005, overcoming massive oppression by the authorities. The leadership was, however, arrested in December 2005.

On 15 February 2006, a global action day was organised by the ITF and the ITUC, demanding an immediate and unconditional release of Mansour Osanloo, President of Tehran Bus Workers' Union and a large of union supporters who were arrested by the authorities in January for organising a one-day strike. As a result of our action, all but M Osanloo were released within days.

The ITF and the ITUC submitted the joint complaint to the ILO in July 2006. M Osanloo was first released on 9 August, ten minutes before the closing of the ITF Congress in Durban where the delegates unanimously adopted an emergency motion in support of the union. He was, however, re-arrested in November and after a fresh round of worldwide protest, release in one month.

In June 2007, he took part in the ITF's Road Transport Workers' Section Conference in London for the first time. The union has been a member of the ITF since 1 May 2006. M Osanloo was then invited to Brussels to address the ITUC's General Council Meeting.

He was again abducted by four unknown assailants on 10 July, three weeks after his return to Iran from Europe. Needless to say, the ITF, together with the ITUC responded immediately by condemning this cowardly act. As of 20 July 2007, he is detained in the nortorious Evin Prison in Tehran.

Visit the ITF campaign page where you can sign the petition and read more about the history of the workers' struggle in Iran and international solidarity.

www.freeosanloo.org