I am writing to let you know that the Kurdistan Textile factory in the city of Sanandaj, Iran, where 75 workers are on a sit-in hunger strike, has come under siege by armed security forces, who have surrounded the factory and cut off all links with the outside.  Anxious relatives and crowds have gathered outside the factory gates demanding access to those inside and the lifting of the siege.  So far five workers, who have fallen seriously ill, have been taken to hospital and more are feared to follow.

 The sit-in by 75 workers, which started on Sunday 31^st October, was last night joined by workers from all sections of the plant.  The workers of two other textile plants in the city (Shaho and Shinbaf), as well as the bakery workers union, and various sections of people have declared their support for the strike.

 The striking workers have appealed to international trade unions for support.

 The sit-in is in protest against the mass redundancy plans announced by the management.  The workers are calling for the withdrawal of the redundancy threat or a fair redundancy settlement.

 Your organisation’s efforts have been instrumental in preventing the persecution of workers in Saghez put on trial for exercising their right to celebrate the international workers’ day.  Your solidarity can once again stop the current assault on the rights, livelihood and safety of workers who are involved in a legitimate dispute with the management over jobs.  Your support is urgently needed to stop this flagrant intimidation of workers by the military, for the immediate lifting of the siege and the withdrawal of the security forces from the factory premises.

 Please do not hesitate to contact me should you require any further information in this regard.  We will keep you informed of any further developments as we receive them.