Iran - December 2018
CALL TO SUPPORT WORKERS OF HAFT-TAPPEH AND
STEEL WORKERS OF AWHAZ
Iranian capitalism, as an endless circle of inflation, recession, poverty, and inequality has drastically hit the lives of millions of workers and their families across the country. There is no day left without workers’ protests, rallies and strikes for their basic rights, to which the government’s response is nothing but repression.
In early November this year, workers of the Haft-Tappeh sugar cane mill in the southwestern city of Shush, went on strike and organized demonstrations in front of the governor’s office, demanding unpaid wages and protesting against the corrupt practices of the private owners. Strikers further demanded the ending of the private sector ownership and the management of the factory under the supervision of the newly founded independent labor organization named the “Workers’ Council”.
Only a few days later, workers of Iran National Steel Industrial Group (INSIG) in Ahwaz (only an hour away from Haft-Tappeh) went on strike and staged public protests which lasted for almost 40 days, demanding their unpaid wages, the resumption of factory production, the procurement of raw materials for production, as well as the return of the group to the public sector.
The response of the Iranian government in both cases has been severe crackdowns and increasing security pressures as always.
An estimated number of 20 Haft-Tappeh striking workers were arrested after weeks of demonstrations and were later released. However one of the workers’ representatives, Esmail Bakhshi, was reported to have been brutally tortured in prison, fed with hallucinogens and was electrocuted in the testicles. He was withdrawn for days and unable to communicate with others due to post traumatic stress.
In the early hours of Monday 17th December, the security forces raided the homes of many of the strikers of Iran National Steel Industry Group, in Ahwaz, and made continual arrests for the following days which resulted in the total of 42 detainees. After the protest by family and large bail payments by workers themselves, some workers were released. However, there are still seven workers in prison.
There are fears that the most vocal strikers of Ahwaz Steel Co, such as Karim Sayahi might currently be facing the very same tortures and ill-treatments applied to Esmail Bakhshi.
Therefore, we call on all workers, unions, organizations and movements across the world and all those who believe in justice and freedom, to stand by the workers of Haft-Tappeh and INSIG and raise awareness on their struggle. Be the voice of those who are imprisoned for having fought against oppression and defended the inalienable rights of every worker.
We [insert here your name] Support Ahwaz Steel Co and Haft-tapeh sugar mill workers .
Date :
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Free Iranian Workers Union
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