Action Day - 15 February 2006

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Page context: Free Mansour Osanloo > Archive: 15 Feb 2006 - Action Day

Global Unions designated 15 February 2006 as their international action day to protest the violation of trade union rights against Teheran bus workers and their trade union.

Here are reports of activities organised by unions worldwide as part of this international day of trade union action.

Europe and the Middle East

Middle East: The ITF's represenative for the Middle East reports protests and actions by road transport unions in Egypt, Tunisia and Morocco, as well as by the petrochemical union in Jordan, the rail workers' trade union in Tunisia, and the maritime workers' union in Tunisia. In Iraq the GFIW ( General Federation of Iraqi Workers ) have delivered a letter of protest and are demonstrating in front of the Iranian Embassy in Bagdhad.

Austria: Members of Railway Workers' Union, GdEÖ and Municipal Workers' Union, GdG, held a solidarity meeting in a bus depot with the Iranian community group in Vienna. FNCTTFEL, Luxembourg also sent its representative. The national labour centre, ÖGB will feature the issue.

Great Britain: More than 100 people participated in a protest rally outside the Iranian Embassy in London.

Trade union representatives from ASLEF, GMB, RMT, UNISON and ITF took part in the action with the Iranian community groups. Excellent media coverage.

Switzerland: The representatives of the ICFTU, PSI and UNI met with the Iranian Ambassador in Geneva on 15 February, demanding an immediate release of all the detained workers.

Norway: The Transport Workers' Union, together with the national labour centre, LO, demonstrated in front of the Iranian Embassy in Oslo on the Action Day. More than 110 unionists took part in the rally.

Asia / Pacific

India: A delegation from the Transport & Dock Workers Union delivered protest letters at the Iranian Consulate General.

Japan: Members of the JRU trade union visited the Iranian Embassy in Tokyo and asked the minister, Mohammad Ali Sarmadi Rad, to release imprisoned union members. The JRU reports that: "He told us the detained union members will soon be released, and the government allows the demonstration of workers in front of the Parliament held today. We told him to respect workers’ rights in Iran."

Australia and New Zealand: A letter of protest was delivered to the Iranian President by the National/General Secretaries of the Maritime Union of Australia; Australian Rail, Tram and Bus Industry Union; Transport Workers Union of Australia; Maritime Union of New Zealand; and Rail & Maritime Transport Union (New Zealand).

Australia: Australian Unions and representatives from the Iranian community protested in front of the Iranian Embassy. Speakers from the MUA, RTBU, TWU, CFMEU and CSPU called upon the Iranian Ambassador to send the unions' message of protest. The Ambassador, however, did not receive the delegation.

New Zealand: The representative of the New Zealand Council of Trade Unions met with Ambassador Kambiz Sheikh-Hamani on 17 February. The NZCTU reports that "the Ambassador undertook to convey the Council's protest letter to Tehran. He was hopeful that the remaining unionists will be released very soon. He also mentioned that the issue in dispute (the demand that the bus company be under the jurisdiction of the better funded municipality rathern than the City Council) has been resolved in the favour of the workers".

Thailand: Coordinated by the ITF Thai Committee, 50 members of BMTA-SWU, TRAN-U, LU-ETA, SRUT and AOT-SWU organised a demonstration and march to the Iranian Embassy in Bangkok. The unionists were received by the Third Secretary, Aliakbar Nazari. Prior to the Action Day, the Committee sent a protest letter to the Iranian Government.

Philippines: A delegation of ITF unions visited the Iranian Embassy in Manila to submit their lettet of protest. Their request for a meeting with the Ambassador was declined.

Bangladesh: The Bangladesh Seamen's Association held an emergency union meeting in Chittagong on 15 February to support the worldwide protest. A protest letter was sent on the previous day.

The Americas

USA: Teamsters Union and Amalgamated Transit Union joined the protest rally in Washington DC. Some 100 participants chanted "free Mansour Osanloo now!"

Canada: More than 100 labour activists took part in the rally in front of the Iranian Embassy. Representatives of the CLC, Canadian Postal Workers' Union, New Democrat Party and Centre for Research on Globalization as well as members of four Canadian and Iranian organisations were present.

View more photos of activities organised by unions on the Action Day here >>