International Labor Federation Criticizes Arrest of 20 Haft Tappeh Sugarcane Workers

Peter Rossman, head of the international section and campaign of the International Federation of Food, Agricultural and Allied Workers' Unions, criticized the arrest of 20 workers from Haft Tappeh Sugarcane Company on Wednesday, July 25, stating that the federation would file a complaint with the International Labour Organization if the detention of these workers continues. According to the Haft Tappeh Sugarcane Workers' Syndicate and ILNA news agency, 20 workers were arrested at their homes by law enforcement and security forces at 9 PM on Tuesday. The syndicate also reported that five other workers were arrested 'in coordination with the company's security and management by the intelligence and security forces of the law enforcement and taken to unknown locations.' There is currently no information available regarding the status of the detained workers. The syndicate noted that 'a highly security-oriented atmosphere has prevailed in Haft Tappeh,' adding that 'the board of the syndicate has also been noticeably pressured by security forces.' In recent weeks, Haft Tappeh workers have repeatedly gone on strike and gathered in protest over unpaid claims. They have also blocked roads around the company several times in recent days. The workers are demanding payment for their wages for Ordibehesht and Khordad of this year, wages for Bahman and Esfand of 1394, eight months of last year's bonuses, and their bonuses from two years ago. In this context, Mr. Rossman stated in an interview with Radio Farda that this is not the first time workers at Haft Tappeh have faced such treatment, urging the Iranian government to announce the reasons for the workers' protests instead of threatening them. He said, 'The workers protested because their wages and benefits have not been paid for several months, and at the same time, they are deprived of the right to union activity.' Peter Rossman announced that the federation would take action if the detention of Haft Tappeh workers and the security-judicial crackdown on them continues. He added, 'Like in 2009, we will complain to the International Labour Organization about the anti-labor actions of the Iranian government and will report violations of workers' rights globally.' The International Federation of Food, Agricultural and Allied Workers' Unions, along with the International Confederation of Trade Unions, had previously requested the intervention of the International Labour Organization for the immediate and unconditional release of Ali Nejati, a board member of the Haft Tappeh Sugarcane Workers' Syndicate, in a joint letter in 2009. About two weeks before the recent arrests in Haft Tappeh, the International Federation of Food, Agricultural and Allied Workers' Unions had called on its member unions and labor organizations worldwide to support the demands of Haft Tappeh workers and retirees for the payment of their overdue wages and benefits. This international labor organization also supported two other demands from Haft Tappeh workers for the recognition of their union and the return of Haft Tappeh Sugarcane Company to the public sector. Peter Rossman stated regarding this campaign: 'The campaign to support Haft Tappeh workers continues to ensure that members of the International Federation of Food, Agricultural and Allied Workers' Unions are assured of the realization of the demands of Haft Tappeh workers. At the same time, we want to show the Iranian government that thousands of union activists worldwide are following the situation in Haft Tappeh and supporting them.'