International Alliance in Support of Workers in Iran

In the outset of 21st century, with May Day 2011 around the corner, the world is still in the hands of a few, and their circles shrinking by the day. Accelerated process of attack towards Labour and Human Rights in advanced capitalist countries from ideological attacks on Humane and Socialist ideals to augmenting ultra reactionary, radical religious, ethnic ideas, has only increased, and has been a part of the recent history of the world community.

Workers and Freedom loving individuals have not kept quite in this regard. Particularly in the year that just passed people of the globe from France, Spain, Greece, U.S., Tunisia, Egypt, Iran,… arose to confront this issue.

In Iran and by the presence of the Islamic regime the situation of workers is truly intolerable. While Iranian officials have announced the inflation rate to be more that 22 percent, according to independent workers organizations the price of necessary items such as meat, eggs, cooking oil, rice and sugar has experienced a 50 to 120 percent increase in the year. Based on international standards the wage of an average Iranian worker is 4 times below the poverty line. Not only that, the removal of subsides and lack of timely payment of wages as well as temporary work contracts have joined hands to put added pressure on Iranian workers.

However, the workers of Iran have started this year in a proactive note, determined and focused. Immediately following the Norouz Holidays, about three thousand contract workers went on strike, and announced they are no longer willing to be slaved. The recent victory in Mahshahr Petrochemical Complex and the strike’s success in a move to eliminate contract work and subcontracting companies, is a pattern that shall be continued. This strike remains a strike to both support and learn from.

In support of Iranian workers, IASWI strongly condemns the government and employer’s attack on worker’s livelihood and actively supports their demands and campaigns. The most urgent demands of workers on the eve of 2011 May Day are as follows:

1) 27 thousand Toman (25 dollar) increase in monthly minimum wage is a clear insult on the worker’s sanctity and dignity and in a way is playing with the lives of millions of people especially children of working class families, as it would put them at risk of various health risks. Workers demand monthly minimum wage to be set based on highest human standards, which is about four times higher than the current 330 thousand toman (about $275.00) as well as the ability to determine the minimum wage through real representatives and independent labour organizations.

2) Iranian workers viewed subsidies as inadequate, however workers see the removal of subsidies by the government an offensive towards their livelihood and demand an immediate end to these cut backs, which is carried out by the IRI under “the targeted subsidy plan”.

3) Iranian workers demand the immediate closure of all contract agencies and dismissal of all temporary and open contracts and replacing them with secure employment and punishment of all employers whom have been taking cheques and promissory notes as accrual from workers.

4) Iranian workers demand immediate and full payment of their back wages as well as in time and full payment of all their wages and benefits. Lack of timely payment must be deemed as a crime and be prosecutable by judiciary officials and the worker must be paid compensation as the result.

5) Iranian workers demand safe working environment in accordance with internationally recognized standards and demand criminal prosecution of employers who are violating this commitment.

6) Iranian workers demanded full and unconditional freedom in the right to form independent workers’ organizations and to strike. Also all suppressing governmental organizations such as security forces, Workers’ House and the Islamic Councils must be dismissed from work places to allow workers to form their own organizations without interferences by any government authorities.

7) Iranian workers demanded full and unconditional freedom of expression, publication, press, assemblies, and demonstrations.

8) Iranian workers demand the immediate and unconditional release of all imprisoned workers and labour activists, including Mansour Osanloo, Ebrahim Madadi, Reza Shahabi, Behnam Ebrahimzadeh, and stop any dismissal, persecution and prosecution of labour activists.

9) Iranian workers demand an end to gender discrimination and oppression and abolishment of all laws and regulations against women in all facets of life and consider realization of equal and humane right between man and women a basic demand of the Working class.

10) Immigrant workers, especially Afghan workers, are under exceeded oppression and complete exploitation of their rights. Iranian workers demand an end to discrimination against immigrant workers and call for punishment of violating employers and institutions.

11) Thousands of children in Iran are working under slavery-like conditions. Iranian workers demand an end to Child Labour and call for full support of these children concerning their education, shelter, health, appropriate nutrition and a decent life altogether.

12) Dismissal and unemployment of workers by any excuse must be stopped and all dismissed workers and those whom have reached the employment age must be entitled to unemployment benefits until they find suitable job.

13) All forms of discrimination based on nationality, language, religion, and gender discrimination are the capitalist regime’s ways of causing division amongst people and is at the expense of solidarity among workers. Iranian workers demand equal and human rights among all residents of this country

14) Iranian workers call for an end to intimidation, threats, arrest and torture of activists in different social movements and demand unconditional release of all political prisoners.

15) Iranian workers demand the unconditional abolishment of all types of the abhorrent and extremely inhumane and reactionary capital punishment.

16) Iranian workers view themselves as a part of the International Working Class, and support all struggles of the working class throughout the world particularly recent movements for social justice, equality and freedom in North Africa and the Middle East.

17) May First must be recognized as the International Workers’ Day and a public holiday and added to the national calendar as an official national holiday and all restrictions on rallies and ceremonies by independent labour organizations must be removed.

International Alliance in Support of Workers of Iran congratulates May Day to all workers around the world and while it supports demands and campaigns of Iranian workers, especially the joint resolution of independent labour organizations in Iran (see attached), on the occasion of May Day 2011, we humbly invite all workers and workers activists in Iran to work towards solidarity and unity irrespective of nationality, gender, race, colour, language, age, opinion and creed.

Long live May Day!

Long live international solidarity of workers!

International Alliance in Support of Workers in Iran (IASWI)