Petition signed by 3,000 Iranian union activists protesting the violation of teachers' and workers' rights

As pressure on labor activists and teachers in Iran intensifies, three thousand union activists signed a petition addressed to delegations participating in the annual session of the International Labor Organization, calling for the immediate and unconditional dismissal of all charges against imprisoned union activists in Iran.

The signatories of this petition have called on participants in the annual meeting of the International Labor Organization to "specifically" include the issue of violations of the rights of teachers and labor activists on the agenda of the meeting.

They have called for the expulsion of representatives of the Islamic Republic's government from the International Labor Organization summit and the unconditional release of trade union detainees, including teachers and workers.

Labor activist Peyman Shajirati told the Voice of America Persian Service on Monday, June 29, that the petition was prepared at the initiative of the Coordination Council of Teachers' Unions and has been signed by more than 3,000 people so far.

According to Mr. Shajirati, the economic policies of the Islamic Republic have imposed poverty on wage earners, including workers and teachers, but instead of solving their livelihood problems, the government resorts to repression and arrests.

Noting that nearly 40 teachers have recently been arrested, he said that the situation of workers is similar, as they have either been arrested or cases have been filed against them.

Peyman Shajirati stated that the International Labor Organization and its members are aware of what is happening to Iranian workers and the government's failure to comply with treaties through reports and letters, and added: "However, the International Labor Organization has always appeased the Islamic Republic, and conflict of interest causes these institutions to turn a blind eye to workers' issues." Yesterday, the Hamadan Teachers' Association issued a statement supporting the imprisoned teachers and protesting against the "filing of cases" against them, warning the authorities that "neglect and disregard for the demands of the educational community will deepen the protests and spread dissatisfaction."

According to the Iranian Teachers' Union Channel, the statement, which was released on Sunday, June 28, emphasized that the authorities "cannot divert the path of the country's educators' demand for justice through such unjust accusations."

Source: Voice of America