Continued Suppression of Labor Activists; Bus Drivers Banned from Interviews with Foreign Media

The Tehran United Bus Company, by obtaining commitments from drivers, has restricted them to interviews only with media outlets “approved by the system.”

The Syndicate of Workers of Tehran United Company reported on Tuesday, November 12, that the company’s security department, through “threats and pressure” and obtaining signatures from drivers, has prohibited them from conducting interviews with journalists.

The syndicate described the Tehran United Company’s action as “covering up weak performance” by the company’s management.

Meanwhile, the Deputy for Transportation and Traffic of Tehran Municipality denied that drivers of the United Company were banned from giving interviews, but stated that “drivers are only permitted to conduct interviews with domestic media outlets and those approved by the system.”

Drivers of the Tehran United Bus Company, particularly members of the company’s syndicate, have repeatedly participated in labor protests and have publicized their occupational concerns through the media.

These restrictions on drivers of this company come at a time when driver protests have repeatedly been met with security and judicial confrontations. Reza Shahabi, a labor activist and member of the board of directors of the Syndicate of Workers of the Tehran United Bus Company, was among those summoned to Evin Prosecutor’s Office on September 22 of this year.

The U.S. State Department has stated that the Islamic Republic regime, with the expenses it has incurred in Syria, could have paid the wages of workers in Iran.

Source: Voice of America