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30 July, 2007
The International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) and the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) are calling for a “Day of Action” on 9 August 2007, demanding the immediate release of two trade unionists locked inside Iran’s prisons. The two global federations are calling for pickets, protests, and letter-writing to Iranian embassies or consulates by trade unions in their home countries.
The ICEM joins with the ITUC and ITF in demanding the release of Mansour Osanloo, the leader of the Tehran bus workers’ union, and the release of Mahmoud Salehi, the founding member of the Saqez Bakery Workers’ Association. The date of 9 August was chosen because it is the one-year anniversary of Osanloo’s release from jail in 2006, following mass global trade union protests.
Osanloo was arrested for the third time on 10 July 2007, following a tour of European labour institutions and labour unions, in which he spoke of the labour abuses and restrictions on freedom of association by Iran’s Islamic regime. Witnesses said he was beaten as he was hauled off by secret police. Confirmation came two weeks ago that he is being held in Evin prison.
Mahmoud Salehi is in ill-health and has been sent to a distant prison in Sanandaj, Kurdistan province. The ITUC said there is firm evidence that his life is in danger because of inadequate medial care at this prison.
The ICEM strongly encourages affiliated trade unions to take some form of meaningful action on 9 August in support of their releases.