Struggles in Iran Bulletin – 29/4/2009

Below is a collection of some of the struggles that are going on within Iran at this time. As the situation is constantly changing we hope to keep as many people up to date with bulletins when we can get them out. There are many practical things you can do as an individual or as an organisation to help those in struggle in Iran. Firstly, get this information out as widely as possible, secondly, get your union or organisation to put out messages of solidarity, thirdly, donate to Workers Fun Iran (http://www.workersfund.org/) and finally, message the Iranian consulate or relevant bodies about arrests, torture and redundancies. Below are the details of the Iranian consulate:

Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran
16 Prince’s Gate London SW7 1PT
Tel: 0207 225 3000

We will also be organising solidarity actions over the coming months and would welcome support and help from supporters and friends.

Hands Off the People of Iran
www.hopoi.org
Office@hopoi.info – hopimanchester@googlemail.com

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1. Ban on May Day gatherings

Workers around Tehran who had planned to demonstrate on May Day against low wages, now plan to protest against a ban on Mayday demonstrations. Workers are demanding higher wages to keep up with the cost of living, and early retirement options for workers doing hazardous jobs. The advertised rallies, organised by the state sponsored Islamic ‘labour house’ (Khaneh Kargar) were cancelled under pressure from the Interior Ministry, however workers intend to gather in a  number of locations in and around Tehran on Friday 1st of May. The main gathering is called by the Syndicate of Vahed Bus workers, the coordinating committee for setting up independent workers organisations and the committee in defence of workers rights which will gather in Park Laleh at 5.00pm.

2. Teachers strike

Thousands of teachers in Tehran, Karaj,  Isfahan, Kermanshah, Miandoab, Sagghez  and other places have been on strike since Sunday 26th April. Teachers are protesting at low wages, job losses and the religious states  interference in  the curriculum. Their  main demand is for pay parity with other government employees,  which was passed by the Islamic Majles in 2007. On Monday 27th April a number of teachers protesting outside the Majles were arrested.

3. Solidarity with Sugar Cane workers

Textile and carpet workers in Kermanshah (Kudistan province) issued a statement in support of Sugar Cane workers in Dezful . They condemned the arrest of labour activists form this plant and called for their immediate release.

4. Strike in Dena Factory 26th April

Workers in Dena Lastic factory in Shiraz have gone on strike in protest at the sacking of four fellow workers. The workers carried placards calling for the sacking of managers and that the expulsion of four labour activists is an insult to 2000 workers.

5. Politics of deceit – Jaffa Oranges in Tehran deals with  settlement-linked companies

The appearance of Jaffa oranges on  fruit markets in Tehran has lead to speculation that one of the clerics involve din the profitable ‘import /export’ business failed to cover up the origins of the fruits.

The fruit was imported via Dubai and was available in  markets and shops in  Tehran.  Photos released by the Mehr news agency show oranges clearly marked “Jaffa Sweetie Israel PO”. As the world contemplates boycott of Israeli goods, it is interesting that  Iran’s corrupt clerics clearly see no reason to curtail their economic dealings with Israel.

All this in a week when Palestinian campaigners criticized Iran for doing business with settlement-linked companies. Palestinian civil society groups called on Tehran to cut ties with two French companies profiting from work in illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank on Tuesday. The Tehran Municipality is involved in negotiations with Veolia Environment for the development of the city’s urban transport system. Alstom has a headquarters in Tehran and received a number of large contracts, including a 192 million Euro contract with Iran’s state railways in 1999 and a larger 375 million Euro contract to supply 50 turbo compressors to Iran in 2002.
The two firms are the investors behind the Citypass consortium that won a 2002 tender issued by Israeli authorities for a light rail line that connects Jerusalem to settlements in the occupied West Bank.  The consortium is responsible for construction, operation and maintenance of the system for a 30-year period. The Palestinian BDS National Committee (BNC) called on Tehran to “take the necessary steps to ban Veolia and Alstom and their subsidiaries from any contracts and operations in the country.” Veolia and Alstom have already been targeted for boycott in countries across Europe.

6. Defend the Iranian Students Movement

Stop Peyman being deported

After a successful mobilisation by supporters of the Iranian students movement the threat of deportation has been suspended pending a case review. Peyman has not been given the right to stay in Norway so the campaign to stop any future deportations is still ongoing. Please send messages demanding Norway grants Peyman asylum.

Royal Norwegian Embassy: 25 Belgrave Square, London SW1X 8QD; 020 7591 5500; emb.london@mfa.no
Norwegian Refugee Council: PO Box 6758, St Olavs plass, 0130 Oslo; +(47) 23 10 98 00; nrc@nrc.no

Free Comrade Mohammad Pour Abdollah Now!

As we reported in the previous bulletin Daneshjouyan-e Azadi Khah va Beraber Talab (DAB) members are worried about the condition and treatment of Mohammad Pour Abdollah who is a leading member of DAB. He was arrested on February 12 and spent over a month in solitary confinement at Evin prison before being moved to Qezel Hesar, just outside of Tehran. His parents have only seen him once after sitting in front of the prison during Iran’s Norouz (new year). During the visit they learned that their son was being tortured.

Students for Freedom and Equality spokesperson Alireza Davoudi who was also arrested in Isfahan on February 12 has now been released pending trial. We ask that supporters

We call for the immediate and unconditional release of all political prisoners and stand in solidarity with the Iranian students against imperialism and theocracy.