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Syndicate of Workers of Tehran and Suburbs United Bus Company calls for barring of Islamic Councils from ILO conference
Mr. Juan Somavia, Director General, International Labour Organisation 30 May 2006 Respectfully, I would like to inform you that, condition for our Syndicate and activities has become more difficult than it was, when our representatives met with you in Tehran. Mr. Osanloo, chairman of the board of directors of the Syndicate is still in prison and our request and request of international labour unions, human rights organisations, other organisations and national and international figures has not been accepted. Our office, where we used to carry out our union activities, has been plumbed since December 22, 2005. In February 2006, about 350 workers, members of the Syndicate were detained for being suspected to go on strike, a day before the strike was to be held. Many others were also detained at work and transferred to Evin prison. They were kept in prison for five to sixty days. Sixteen of them, members of the board of directors of the Syndicate are awaiting trial at Islamic Revolutionary Court. Wives of three members of the board of directors were also arrested. 150 workers, who are released from prison, have not been able to go back to work. They do not receive any wages. They are in a very bad economical and psychological condition. A number of workers who have been allowed to go back to work, have been forced to leave Syndicate. All these happen in a condition that our country has been a member of the International Labour Organisation for 50 years. Iran has signed the International Declaration of Human Rights for more than 30 years. The principle 26 of constitution law of the Islamic Republic of Iran has recognized union activities as certain right of the Iranian people. Year 2004, Islamic Republic Ministry of Labour signed Convention no. 87 of the International Labour Organisation before the organisation’s delegation in Teheran. Mr. Director General As you are aware, due to labour standards and fundamental rights violations in Iran, non-observance of rights of union activities in particular, and due to fundamental differences of Islamic Labour Councils with the International labour laws, delegations dispatched by the government of the Islamic Republic of Iran to annual session of the International Labour Organisation and other gatherings, are not representing Iranian labour society. For this very obvious reason, we urge your Excellency prevent this people from attending the Session, until labour laws are totally put into effect in Iran, in accordance with the international labour laws. Sincerely Yours 30 May 2006 Ebrahim Madadi Vice President of Syndicate of Workers of United Bus Company of Teheran and Suburbs Cc Mr. David Cockroft, General Secretary, International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) [Signed & stamped]
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