Five Global Labor Unions to Khamenei: We Are Shocked by the Death Penalty Request for 17 Detainees in Qazvin

The International Confederation of Trade Unions, in a letter to the leader of Iran, on behalf of itself and four global labor federations with 200 million members, expressed that it is 'deeply shocked' by the Qazvin prosecutor's request for the maximum penalty for 17 detainees related to the recent truck drivers' strike. These international unions consider such a request, which according to Mohsen Karami, the head of the Qazvin prosecutor's office, includes execution, a severe and blatant violation of workers' rights, stating that it is unacceptable in any society for workers to be executed for defending their economic interests. The letter calls on Ayatollah Khamenei to immediately and unconditionally revoke the charges against the detainees related to the truck drivers' strike and to ensure their safety while also negotiating with the truck drivers. The International Confederation of Trade Unions, the International Transport Workers' Federation, Education International, the International Union of Industries, and the International Federation of Food, Agriculture, and Hospitality Workers urged the Committee on Freedom of Association and the Committee on Standards of the International Labour Organization to remind the Iranian government of its responsibilities regarding the need to respect fundamental labor rights and its conventions. During the approximately two-week strike of truck drivers in some areas of Iran, more than 200 individuals were detained. Law enforcement and judicial officials accused them of obstructing truck passage or attacking them. Previously, the handling of the truck drivers' strike has drawn criticism both in Iran and globally. The International Transport Workers' Federation had previously expressed its concern about the Iranian government's reaction to the truck drivers' labor protests, noting the 'large number of drivers' being detained. Noel Cord, the head of the land transport section of this global federation, expressed serious concern over the threats from judicial officials and stated that, along with member unions, they express solidarity with the truck drivers in their struggle to defend their labor rights. The truck drivers had raised demands including wage increases, provision of spare parts and tires, recognition of the difficult and hazardous nature of their work, access to early retirement, establishment of rest areas on highways, and free elections to choose representatives for truck drivers in labor organizations. The American and Canadian Transport Union, with over 1.4 million members, also expressed its concern about the conditions of truck drivers in Iran in a letter to the Iranian Interests Section in that country, criticizing the Iranian government for refusing to recognize truck drivers' right to form labor unions. This union expressed solidarity with the truck drivers, noting the strike occurred 'in over 290 cities and 31 provinces of Iran,' and called on the Iranian government to fulfill the truck drivers' labor demands and recognize their international rights regarding assembly, freedom of expression, and organization. The Danish Drivers' Union also expressed solidarity with the truck drivers' strike. The head of Iran's judiciary threatened striking truck drivers with 'the maximum punishment.' Previously, the August truck drivers' strike had received support from the General Confederation of Labor, major labor unions in Italy, and the Front Against Economic Austerity in that country. In Iran, the Syndicate of Workers of the Tehran Bus Company, the Syndicate of Workers of Haft Tappeh Sugarcane Company, the Retirees' Union, a group of Iranian teachers' union activists, and the Coordination Committee to Help Establish Labor Organizations noted that the police, security, and judicial responses to the truck drivers' strike had significantly intensified, with many of them being detained and imprisoned, and even high-ranking judicial officials threatening drivers with execution. These organizations emphasized that 'striking, protesting, and gathering are the legitimate rights of workers and laborers to assert their rights,' and declared their support for the truck drivers and drivers' strike.