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Osanloo’s release welcomed but the labour rights struggle in Iran continues
24 August 2006
The ITF has welcomed the release of Mansour Osanloo, leader of an Iranian bus workers’ union, who spent almost eight months imprisoned in an infamous torture centre in the country’s capital city.
Osanloo, President of the workers of the Tehran Bus Company, Sherkat e Vahed, was released from Evin prison on 9 August after bail was paid. He, along with 17 others, now awaits trial on charges that could include “propaganda against the system.” The exact nature of the charges is, however, as yet unknown.
Osanloo and 13 other trade union members were arrested on 22 December; all except Osanloo were subsequently released. On 28 January, bus workers took part in strike action in protest against Osanloo’s arrest; 180 of them were later sacked as a result.
Delegates at the ITF’s Congress in Durban, South Africa, who learnt of Osanloo’s release during the final session of the event, had passed an emergency resolution, which included demands for Osanloo to be set free, the reinstatement of the 180 bus workers and full recognition of the union’s rights.
Mac Urata, ITF Inland Transport Section Secretary commented: “There are many people who worked behind the scenes to win Osanloo’s release, whose efforts must not be forgotten. At the same time, we must remember that 180 workers remain without jobs and Osanloo and other trade unionists still face charges. Therefore, our struggle continues until the union fully wins legitimate recognition as a free trade union by the authorities.”
On 25 July, the ITF and the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions (ICFTU) submitted a formal complaint to the International Labour Organization over the continued use of terror tactics against the union. Meanwhile, the human rights organisation, Amnesty International, has claimed that it would declare Osanloo a prisoner of conscience if necessary.
A statement released by the bus workers’ union on 17 August thanked the ITF, the ICFTU and trade unions around the world for their support.
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