Iranian labor activist discusses strikes, sanctions and human rights

Persian2English — For the occasion of International Workers’ Day, Persian2English has interviewed Iranian labor activist Gholamreza Gholamhosseini. Mr. Gholamhosseini spent time in prison in Iran where Iranian authorities tortured him. He eventually left Iran and became a refugee in Turkey until Canada granted him asylum. He currently lives in Canada with his family. Read about Mr. Gholamhosseini’s struggles in detail in the witness statement he gave to the Iran Human Rights Documentation Center here.

P2E: May you please provide our readers with a little bit of history as it relates to the Iranian labor movement and the struggle for democratic change in Iran.

Gholamreza Gholamhosseini: As the readers may already know, around the world, from the early days of the emergence of various social classes followed by divide between the classes, the working class has enabled the means of production, but has been denied their fair share of that which they produce by the capitalist class. In order to improve their living conditions and those of their families, they engage in struggle – and all the struggles of workers are inevitably linked to the struggles for democratic change.

Although, as time passes and the stance of politicians [remains] uncompromising, a society may be forced to engage in physical struggle – and Iran is no exception, except for that throughout Iran’s history there is little instance where its political leaders have accepted or acknowledged democratic movements; and in many cases, they have repressed democratic movements. Ultimately, [under these conditions], the struggle for democracy [in Iran] leads to violence, which is not to the benefit of [anyone], just like the revolution of 1979 showed us.

P2E: Recently there have been numerous strikes within the country, including by teachers unions. What do you expect will come of these strikes?

Gholamhosseini: The strikes within the country have existed for many years, they are not only from this year; however, this year the strikes have intensified and spread throughout society. For example, this past year we were witness to strikes in large companies like ChadorMalu (mining) and automobile factories like Iran Khodro and Saipa – and this year the teachers strikes have spread throughout Iran. These strikes are a result of workers not reaching their demands in the 35+ years under the rule of the Islamic Republic. Instead of solving the issues, the authorities strive to silence [protesting voices]. We see that teachers all across Iran are protesting, and their actions will have a positive effect in the long term, because it will elevate the awareness of the masses and also spread the struggle for freedom and change to the entire country.

P2E: In Ahmed Shaheed’s human rights report for the United Nations, he stated that the human rights situation in Iran has gotten worse under the Rouhani administration. Has this also affected labor unions?

Gholamhosseini: In my opinion, the report by Ahmed Shaheed is accurate. Hassan Rouhani’s government ignores the human rights situation [in Iran]. The struggles between the people and government authorities is very much [alive] at all levels. We are witness to the fact that human rights in Iran are not recognized. In broad daylight in the streets of Iran women and girls are attacked with acid or knives, and no one in power takes responsibility for these acts. In the working sector, we witness workers being denied their wages for many months, including those who work for the government. Instead, workers who protest against these conditions are convicted in show trials and are issued heavy fines and sentences, including flogging. We see no condemnation of these actions by the authorities in charge. The situation for workers is getting worse each day. In Iran independent labor unions do not exist.

Other human rights violation in Iran that is increasing more than other years is execution [death penalty]. Every day we are witness to executions in Iran, despite the fact it is the system that is at fault and these individuals who are being executed are victims of class repression. There is an increase of homelessness and poverty throughout Tehran and other cities. The number of drug addicts, child laborers, and the increase of sick individuals with Aids and Hepatitis B is increasing…all of these things are indications of the problems with human rights under the Rouhani government, which Ahmed Shaheed has referenced in his report.

P2E: The Iranian regime authorities have arrested and imprisoned many workers, please tell us a little about this.

Gholamhosseini: Yes, the Iranian regime has always attacked helpless workers and arrested and imprisoned them. Unfortunately, a number of these individuals remain imprisoned on May Day, including Ebrahim Madadi, Davood Razavi, Mahmoud Salehi, Pedram Nasrollahi, and Jafar Azimzadeh. These arrests have had very negative consequences on the families of these individuals. Arresting and imprisoning workers is not a new thing, this type of behavior is one of the regime’s main strategical moves.

P2E: What can we do to support workers and the labor movement in Iran?

Gholamhosseini: For support and solidarity with Iranian workers, everyone who has human sympathy or believes that they are affiliated with workers must do something. They must try to push for the unity, solidarity and organization of workers, so that the workers may believe in themselves and their independence. Human responsibility leads us to act without any expectation of benefit for ourselves.

P2E: How have sanctions affected the situation of workers in Iran?

Gholamhosseini: The sanctions have primarily affected the workers and has made their living conditions harder; and we all know that the sanctions have not reduced the luxuries of life for any of the [Iranian regime authorities]. In actuality, the authorities have profited from the sanctions, [like how] we have been witness to the fact that they have stolen billions of dollars (as reported in the media). None of the authorities have trouble obtaining medicine or medical care, they receive their medical treatments in Europe or the USA. It is the wage worker who suffers the irreplaceable loss of sanctions.

If those who are benefiting from the regime, those who ride luxury cars in Tehran, are calling for the lifting of sanctions, it is not because they are sympathetic to the people, but because they fear the revolt of the people. Those who benefit from the regime just want to control their own financial investments and thus prolong the life of this disgraceful regime.

The responsibility of those who are political activists in Iran is to do the best they can to succeed in this difficult situation, and serve those who are under pressure and repression, and not to distract themselves by ignoring the situation and being in denial of the reality in Iran.