To international trade unions:
The following letter by over 400 striking textile workers in Western Iran clearly demonstrates the critical status of their strike. The Islamic regime is determined to break the strike and has threatened to sack all the workers. This open intimidation of workers, who are exercising their right to strike and collective bargaining, must be stopped. Your support will be crucial in defeating the Islamic government’s anti-labour policies.
Sincerely,
Kazem Nik-Khah
Secretary,
Worker-communist Party of Iran –
Organisation Abroad
3/1/2005
To international trade
unions:
Request for support for the
long-running struggle
by textile workers in
Sanandaj, Iran
You may know that over the past few weeks this is the third time that we have had to go on strike, and have just completed the 12th day of being on strike. When we were on strike two months ago, on November 1st, the factory was put under siege by the security forces, so the negotiations took place under those conditions. Nevertheless, workers insisted on their demands and made the management concede. Thus, it was pledged that the six laid-off workers would be reinstated and the strike days’ wages would be paid. But as soon as the strike had ended, the management reneged on those pledges. Our determination in continuing this fight has led workers in other industries in Iran and Sanandaj to offer their support.
So far, many workers have lost their jobs and activists are being harassed and intimidated. Under these circumstances support by workers in Iran and internationally is crucial.
During last year, international trade unions offered strong support for workers’ protests in Iran. This support had a highly positive impact in terms of boosting the morale of the workers and putting pressure on the management and the government. We ask you to support our action and demands. The support by international labour organisations blocks attacks and conspiracies not only against the textile workers, but against all workers. The management and the state should see that we are not alone. The media that boycotts us should see that the news of our protests is reflected around the world. We have pressed ahead with our demands up to this day. We have called a strike fund to help us continue the strike with less worry. We have also formed a ‘crisis committee’ so that if they decide to attack us we would be able to make decisions. On the other side, in the past few days a commission has been set up comprised of the security forces, the Ministry of Labour, the management and the Information Ministry. The purpose of this commission is clear. Yesterday they threatened to sack us all. Our strike has reached a sensitive stage. They are determined to break it, come what may. But we are determined to carry on with our strike. Your immediate and categorical support is crucial for us.
Our demands are the recognition of the right to strike, the payment of wages for the strike days, the return of our sacked colleagues, an end to the intimidation of workers by the management and the state, the provision of a canteen and the serving of at least one hot meal each day, introduction of health and safety provisions in the factory, specifically the renovation of the air-conditioning system that is making workers ill, and free medical treatment for up to 100 workers who have fallen ill due to the unhealthy and polluted conditions at the workplace.
We call on you to support our demands, to condemn the intervention by the security forces and the intimidation of workers, and to post the news of our struggle on your websites so that as many labour organisations and concerned individuals as possible get to hear about our action. This will be a tremendous help in foiling the conspiracies and threats and a crucial factor for the victory of our strike.
Yours sincerely,
1- Shis Amani 2- Hadi Zare’ee 3- Eghbal Moradi 4- Hasan Shari’ati 5- Farshid Beheshtizad 6- Ahmad Fatehi
On behalf of the workers of Kurdistan Textile Company
2 January 2005