Sweden-Iran Labor Unions Platform Calls for the Release of Labor Activists, Teachers, and Civil Society Activists

The Sweden-Iran Labor Unions Platform, on the eve of International Workers' Day on May 1st, called for the cancellation of security charges against labor activists, teachers, and civil society members, as well as the unconditional and immediate release of all labor activists, teachers, retirees, civil society activists, and journalists from the prisons of the Islamic Republic. This labor group, which includes several unions such as the Transport Workers' Union, the Municipal Workers' Union, and the Swedish National Teachers' Union, emphasized the need to end the pressure and repression of labor and civil activists in Iran, and demanded the recognition of the right to organize and hold gatherings by the Islamic Republic. Prioritizing the payment of overdue wages by employers and ensuring payment by the government are other demands of the Sweden-Iran Labor Unions Platform. In recent years, many strikes and protests have been carried out by workers in various regions of Iran in protest against the delayed payment of wages and benefits. According to the 'Khabar Rooz' website, the statement of the Sweden-Iran Labor Unions Platform noted the struggle of Iranian workers over the past 100 years for their rights and their lives below the poverty line, stating that they are deprived of their independent labor organizations, do not have the right to organize or strike, and are even denied the celebration of International Workers' Day. In recent years, government forces of the Islamic Republic have repeatedly prevented the holding of independent International Workers' Day ceremonies and have arrested dozens in this regard, which in some cases has led to prison sentences for labor and civil activists. The Sweden-Iran Labor Unions Platform's statement highlighted the protests of 'workers, teachers, retirees, and the working classes of Iran' in recent years, adding: 'The response of the Islamic Republic has been to intensify political and security repression, imprisonment, torture, execution, and the use of medieval punitive methods such as flogging protesters and issuing arbitrary and illegal sentences by the Islamic Revolutionary Courts without any access for the condemned to a defense lawyer.' The statement emphasized that 'despite all this, not only has the scale of these protests not diminished, but their intensity has increased day by day.' The Sweden-Iran Labor Unions Platform also called on the International Labor Organization, the International Confederation of Trade Unions, and the UN Special Rapporteur on the human rights situation in Iran to propose practical measures to address the very concerning conditions of workers, especially in dealing with the repression of women under the guise of hijab and chastity. The statement noted that the Islamic Republic has become increasingly determined in repressing labor and civil activists and has intensified its policy of intimidation, repression, and imprisonment, stating that 'while declaring positions and issuing supportive statements from labor organizations and unions is necessary, it is not enough.' Currently, several labor activists and teachers are imprisoned on security charges, including Sharifeh Mohammadi, Reza Shahabi, Davood Razavi, Hassan Saidi, Reyhaneh Ansarinezha, Rasoul Badaghi, Nasrin Javadi, Keyvan Mohtadi, Jafar Ebrahimi, Osman Esmaeili, Asghar Amirzadegan, Ashkan Fahim, and Hashem Khastar. The Sweden-Iran Labor Unions Platform emphasized that 'isolating and limiting the regime's role in the International Labor Organization through independent labor organizations with the help and solidarity of other labor unions from member countries of this institution can be achieved.' Warning about the risk of 'paralysis' for a imprisoned labor activist: No action has been taken for the treatment of Osman Esmaeili. The monthly report on the human rights situation in Iran, as narrated by HRANA, presents a 'shocking' image of widespread rights violations. The strike at the Central Iron Ore Company of Bafq has ended; workers returned to work after promises of 'fulfillment of demands.' The shadow of poverty looms over the tables of educators; narratives of meager salaries and uninsured work for teachers. The strike of workers at 'Parch Paper Nature Cellulose' continues; 100 dismissed workers have returned to work. Sharifeh Mohammadi, a labor activist, remains in limbo in Lakan Prison in Rasht. Officials at Evin, Sanandaj, and Mahabad prisons oppose the medical leave of three labor and cultural prisoners.