Tehran Bus Workers' Union Calls for Release of Reza Shahabi

The Tehran and Suburbs Bus Workers' Union announced the transfer of Reza Shahabi, a imprisoned board member of the union, to Evin Prison and demanded his immediate and unconditional release. According to the union's Telegram channel, Mr. Shahabi, who is "in critical physical condition," was transferred from Rajai Shahr Prison in Karaj to Evin Prison instead of being released or transferred to a hospital. The union stated that "the responsibility for any physical problems for Reza Shahabi lies with the prison guards and judicial authorities" and called for his immediate and unconditional release. Previously, the committee defending Reza Shahabi had announced that he was transferred from Rajai Shahr Prison to Evin Prison on Tuesday night, January 18, under the condition that he would be hospitalized and released after being transferred to Evin. Meanwhile, judicial authorities have remained silent regarding Shahabi's transfer to Evin Prison. Earlier, Mr. Shahabi had requested treatment and then transfer to Evin Prison. Reports indicate that Mr. Shahabi suffers from multiple illnesses, and a specialist doctor at Imam Khomeini Hospital in Tehran had stated that his body cannot withstand prison and must be treated outside of prison. Meanwhile, the Free Workers Union of Iran reported that Davood Rafiei, a worker at the Pars Khodro factory, who was allegedly "illegally dismissed by the labor office and the influence of Pars Khodro," was beaten by security personnel while protesting in front of the Ministry of Labor with a placard on Tuesday, January 19, and was subsequently arrested by police and taken to Police Station 108. According to the Free Workers Union's Telegram channel, Mr. Rafiei was still in custody on Wednesday, January 20, and was supposed to be transferred to the prosecutor's office on Thursday, January 21. The Free Workers Union condemned the beating and arrest of Davood Rafiei as a manifestation of "the peak of intimidation policy against workers" by the Ministry of Labor and demanded his immediate release and reinstatement, as well as addressing the illegal dismissal ruling against him and the violent behavior of the ministry's security personnel. Additionally, Behnam Ebrahimzadeh, a labor activist, tweeted that Idris Sharifi, a labor activist and member of the livelihood and labor committee in Marivan, had been arrested by security forces. Mr. Ebrahimzadeh did not provide further details on this matter. Meanwhile, the HRANA news agency reported that Mr. Sharifi, who was arrested by the Ministry of Intelligence forces and taken to an unknown location, has been released on bail. Views of some international labor unions have emerged recently regarding protests in Iran and the government's treatment of labor organizations. In this context, the International Transport Workers' Federation called for the release of Reza Shahabi, a imprisoned board member of the Tehran and Suburbs Bus Workers' Union. According to the website of the International Transport Workers' Federation, Steve Cotton, the general secretary of this union, wrote a letter on behalf of the Tehran and Suburbs Bus Workers' Union to the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic, demanding the release of Reza Shahabi. In this letter, Mr. Cotton referred to Shahabi's critical physical condition and stated that this labor activist should be released due to Iran's commitments to the International Labor Organization's conventions. Meanwhile, the International Federation of Food, Agricultural and Allied Workers' Unions issued a statement referring to the government's treatment of protesters in recent days, stating that thousands of Iranians demonstrated in the streets to express their dissatisfaction and anger over poverty and corruption. According to the union's website, following the deaths of more than 20 people and the arrest of hundreds, "the protests have currently subsided, but arrests continue, and detainees face the risk of torture and abuse." The International Federation of Food, Agricultural and Allied Workers' Unions raised the question of where the protests are heading, adding, "Security forces blame foreign enemies." This labor union also addressed the issues faced by workers at the large Haft Tappeh Sugarcane Company, whose wages have not been paid for several months. According to the International Federation of Food, Agricultural and Allied Workers' Unions, this has led bakeries and shops to refrain from selling on credit to the workers of Haft Tappeh Sugarcane Company. The labor union noted that the privatization of Haft Tappeh Sugarcane Company in March 2016 has raised questions about how this unit was transferred to two inexperienced young men in the food industry. Following the privatization of Haft Tappeh Sugarcane Company, criticisms were raised, and even a representative from Shush criticized this transfer. Subsequently, workers at Haft Tappeh Sugarcane Company have repeatedly demanded the return of ownership of this unit to the government during their protests and strikes; demands that have not received the government's approval. The International Federation of Food, Agricultural and Allied Workers' Unions concluded its statement by expressing support for the "brave struggle of Iranian workers for the establishment of independent labor organizations under the difficult conditions prevailing in Iran." Previously, the International Confederation of Trade Unions had also stated that "Iran needs fundamental reforms" in light of the recent gatherings and protests in Iranian cities. According to the website of the International Confederation of Trade Unions, "the suppression of protests will not eliminate social and economic dissatisfaction throughout Iran."