Report on 'Suppression of Trade Union Activists and Gross Violation of Labor Rights' Submitted to UN Special Rapporteurs

The International Federation for Human Rights and its member organizations submitted a report to UN special rapporteurs regarding what they termed the 'suppression of trade union activists and workers and gross violation of labor rights in Iran.' The report calls on UN experts to take action regarding the alleged 'gross violation of labor rights in Iran.' It has been delivered to UN special rapporteurs concerning freedom of assembly and association, the situation of human rights defenders, the promotion and protection of freedom of opinion and expression, investigations into arbitrary detentions, and Ahmed Shaheed, the UN special rapporteur on human rights in Iran. The International Federation for Human Rights and its member organizations described the labor rights situation in Iran as alarming, particularly referencing the 'severe suppression of labor activists on International Workers' Day.' Previously, the Syndicate of Workers of the Tehran and Suburbs Bus Company and the Coordination Committee to Help Form Workers' Organizations reported that several members of these two organizations were arrested by security forces in Tehran, Sanandaj, and Saqqez on International Workers' Day. Iranian officials have remained silent regarding these reports. The International Federation for Human Rights and its member organizations also pointed out the 'prohibition of independent and peaceful gatherings on International Workers' Day' for independent labor organizations, calling it a clear example of the ongoing suppression and harassment of trade union activists in Iran. The report also urged UN experts to ask Iranian officials to end what has been termed the suppression and judicial harassment of labor activists and to respect labor rights. Abdolkarim Lahiji, President of the International Federation for Human Rights, residing in Paris, explained to Radio Farda the reason for preparing and submitting this report: 'Given that we are in May and a few days have passed since International Workers' Day, we saw it as an opportunity to report on the status of workers' rights and trade union rights, as well as the situation of those who have been sentenced to long prison terms due to their trade union activities, to the UN special rapporteurs, particularly regarding social and economic rights.' The International Federation for Human Rights and its member organizations wrote in their report that dozens of trade union activists are in prison following trials they deemed 'extremely unfair,' awaiting summons for the execution of prison sentences or awaiting sentencing. They also addressed the growth and expansion of workers' protests, noting that according to some reports, over 500 strikes, demonstrations, and other protests occurred in the past year against dismissals, demands for timely wages, wage increases, contract reforms, and improvements in working conditions. Alireza Navaei, a member of the International Alliance in Support of Workers in Iran, residing in Paris, told Radio Farda: 'These statistics do not represent the number of protests. In some service and production units, we have witnessed repeated protests from workers.' He pointed out that in 2014, there were 365 labor protests and strikes in service and production units, adding: 'This figure, considering the 515 labor protests and strikes, indicates a 40% increase.' The report from the International Federation for Human Rights and its member organizations also mentioned security charges such as 'acting against national security, propaganda against the regime, and insulting the leader' that have been leveled against trade union activists in recent years. Abdolkarim Lahiji noted that heavy sentences have been issued for those engaged in trade union activities, and in some cases, long prison terms have been imposed on these activists. Behrouz Farahani, a member of the Socialist Solidarity Group with Workers in Iran, residing in Paris, also told Radio Farda: 'The arrest of striking workers under the label of strikers and saboteurs has significantly increased, and immediately the protesting workers or their representatives are threatened, dismissed, or arrested. Furthermore, the charge of propaganda against the regime is leveled against labor and trade union activists.' The International Federation for Human Rights and its member organizations stated in their report that the trend of security and judicial confrontations has also extended to workers who have pursued their demands in various forms in protest against their working conditions. The report noted that the right to strike has never been explicitly recognized in Iran, and according to them, 'strikes are violently suppressed.' Regarding workers' wages in Iran, the report indicated that governments have failed to comply with labor law regulations to increase the minimum wage, which is described in the report as being approximately one-third of the poverty line, set at 812,000 tomans for the current year. The monthly minimum wage of 812,000 tomans, approved by the Supreme Labor Council, has been criticized by many labor organizations in Iran. Nevertheless, Ali Rabiei, Minister of Cooperatives, Labor, and Social Welfare, stated that the policy of what he termed 'sudden wage increases' could, in his description, shock the Iranian economy and cause a crisis in production. The International Federation for Human Rights and its member organizations have urged UN special rapporteurs to demand that the Iranian government immediately and unconditionally release all imprisoned trade union activists, annul all charges against labor activists, and ratify and implement the International Labor Organization conventions as well as the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women and the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families.