Global day of action for Mansour Osanloo and Mahmoud Salehi

Today is a global day of action for Mansour Osanloo and Mahmoud Salehi, two Iranian trade unionists being held in prison by the Iranian theocracy on charges of “endangering national security”.

This pair are unlikely to get the publicity afforded other less savoury Middle Eastern political activists by some sections of the so-called left who no doubt will be along soon to claim that solidarity with these imprisoned Iranian trade unionists is in fact part of a long-term Zionist/Imperialist/Neo-Conservative conspiracy to launch a nuclear attack on the peace-loving democracy of Iran.

Here’s the message of solidarity:

Thousands of workers and citizens are raising their voices today worldwide. We want Mansour Osanloo and Mahmoud Salehi out of jail immediately and unconditionally. We want workers’ rights respected in Iran without any delay. Organised by the ITUC and ITF with the full support of Amnesty International, many events are taking place simultaneously around the world to back our demands.

In Wellington, Sydney, Tokyo, Seoul, Bangkok, Jakarta, New Delhi, Istanbul, Basra, Amman, the West Bank, Tunis, Casablanca, Geneva, Brussels, Oslo, London and Toronto, actions are confirmed and many will visit the Iranian missions with our message, that the Iranian authorities cannot obstruct the genuine workers’ movement and jail these unionists for their activities. We regret the charges set against them. They are not a threat to the national security. Worse still, their health conditions are deteriorating.

The ILO’s Freedom of Association Committee report from June 2007 stresses that the Iranian government must take “all measures to ensure that trade unions can be formed and function without hindrance, including through the de facto recognition of the union”.

In building-up to the International Action Day, the ITF’s inspectors in many countries have boarded Iranian vessels in their respective ports with our message. LabourStart has gathered 5,000 signatures on an online petition. Earlier in January, protest by the Indonesian trade unions forced its government to postpone a Presidential visit to Iran. Concerns are being raised in the national and European parliaments. Many organisations have sent their protest letters. Since Mansour Osanloo was brutally abducted 8 months ago, worldwide protests have not stopped. On 6 March, they will culminate into a mass global demonstration but this will not be the end.

Free Osanloo now!
Free Salehi now!
Respect the workers’ rights in Iran!

Our message of solidarity with the Iranian workers is loud and clear. It will continue to resound until our objectives are achieved.

International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC)
International Transport Workers Federation (ITF)
Amnesty International