Striking workers imprisoned in Iran

The IWW recently published a statement in support of striking workers in Iran, and has received the below disturbing update from the Association in Defence of Freedom in Iran (ADIF):

Authorities raided the homes of dozens of protesting National Steel Group workers in the midnight hours of Monday local time, reports indicate.

This raid, continued until 2 am and resulted in the arrest of many workers. The raid was carried out without any arrest warrant, and the arrested workers were transferred to an unknown location.

Workers of steel factory rallied for 38th day in protest about their unpaid wages & demanding the release of detained workers. Many of these workers had to be taken to the streets of Ahwaz through the night to prevent more arrests.

The names of 11 workers who have been arrested so far are as follow:

Meysam Ghanavati
Isa Marei
Amin Allavani
Morteza Akbari
Tariq Khalfi
Masoud Afri
Jafar Sabhani
Mostafa Abyat
Gharib Houizawi
Karim Siyahi
Hamed Jodaki

Reportedly, the special security unit along with the chief of the Security Forces of Ahwaz entered the Iran National Steel Group, and threatened to arrest the workers on the morning of Dec 17. Despite this brutal attack, the workers of the National Industrial Steel Group are determined to hold a protest rally today.

We ask you to condemn these inhuman acts against Iranian workers and urge you to take an urgent position by requesting the UN, The UN Human Rights Commissioner, The ILO President, and all of the other Workers’ Unions to condemn this inhuman measure and to take an urgent action for the release of these workers.

The IWW stands in solidarity with workers everywhere fighting for a better deal and wholeheartedly condemns these actions by the Iranian authorities. We further redouble our call to all labor organizations to condemn trampling of the workers’ basic rights and to demand the ruling dictatorship in Iran release all detained workers, to respect the basic rights of workers and to adhere to all international labor laws.

We demand the quick and unconditional release of all workers and truck drivers who were arrested during strikes.

We express our support for the demands of the workers, drivers and the working people of Iran and urge all labour unions to assist their colleagues in Iran and to support their rightful demands, however they can.