Tehran Bus Dispute
Latest Update
15 June
All 8 members of the Metal workers and Mechanics Union are released on bail.
ICEM supports the Action Day on 26 June.
11 June
The ITUC releases its annual survey of violations of trade union rights for 2008, reporting that in 2008 hundreds of workers in Iran have been arrested for supporting the right to organise or participating in legitimate trade union activities or labour gatherings.
10 June
Alireza Saghafy and Mohsen Saghafy are released on bail. They were arrested last month on 1 May in Tehran at Laleh Park.
7 June
Shapour Ehsani, Asadolah Pour Farhad, Jeveh Javaheri and Mohammad Asharafi are released. They were arrested on May Day for taking part in a rally in Tehran. Jeveh Javaheri was the last remaining female prisoner.
Three people detained on 2 June after protesting in front of the revolutionary court are also released. They are family members of Shapour Ehsani and Mohammad Asharafi.
5 June
Amnesty International endorses the Action Day on 26 June.
4 June
The Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) adopts a resolution at its Congress in Brisbane supporting the Global Solidarity Action Day on 26 June and calling its Government to raise the violation of workers’ rights directly with the Iranian authorities >>
|
Background
The Syndicate of Workers of Tehran and Suburbs Bus Company (Sherkat-e Vahed) was formed in 1968 but was disbanded by the authorities in the early 1980s. Instead, a Workers’ House and Islamic Labour Council were formed by the government and the company. In 2003, activists began to re-establish their independent union.
Visit the ICFTU website here>>
Visit the Labourstart website here>>
Chronology
Use the index below to access news and information about different events during the dispute:
Events in 2006 in full
>>
Events in 2005 in full
>>
March – June 2005
At least 17 activists are dismissed from the Tehran and Suburbs Bus Company, including Mansour Osanloo.
7 September
Seven leaders and members of the union are arrested. They are charged with public order offences after which they are released on bail. They were arrested during a protest against unpaid wages, during which bus drivers in Tehran left their lights on while driving passengers around the city.
 |  |
| Protest in Berlin against the re-arrest of Mansour Osanloo | |
9 September
The ICFTU sends its third protest letter to the Iranian government.
22 December
The agents of the Intelligence Ministry arrest 14 trade unionists including its President, Mansour Osanloo.
25 December
3,000 workers of Sherkat-e Vahed walk out of the job in protest. 17 more unionists are arrested.
26 December
The ICFTU sends its fourth protest letter to the Iranian government.
27 December
All detainees except Mansour Osanloo are released. Meanwhile, all the trade unionists' bank accounts are frozen and wage payments are blocked.
31 December
Dr Ghalibaf, the mayor of Tehran, promises the trade union members that he will do everything in his power to free Mansour Osanloo and to resolve the other problems.
1 January 2006
150 workers from all the ten Bus Districts of Tehran assemble outside the Revolution Court on Mo Street, from 8.30 am to 1.30 pm, calling for the immediate and unconditional release of Mansour Osanloo.
2 January
At least 5,000 members of the union gather at Azadi Stadium Complex in Tehran demanding the immediate release of Mansour Osanloo. The Mayor of Tehran, who attended the gathering, is confronted with angry trade unionists.
6 January
The ICFTU sends its fifth letter of protest. The ITF sends its letter of protest - both letters condemn “the inescapable conclusion that a new pattern of repression against free and independent trade union activists is emerging in Iran”.
7 January
The union requests the bus drivers in Tehran to leave their lights on in protest while driving passengers around the city. A new strike date is set as 29 January 2006.
11 January
TWU Local 100 sends its protest letter >>
19 January
The ITF Urban Transport Committee held in Paris unanimously adopts a resolution, demanding the immediate release of Mansour Osanloo.
*From late December, trade unions including those in Yemen, Morocco, Egypt, Tunisia, Jordan, Kuwait, Canada, USA, Great Britain, Austria, Germany, Italy, Sweden, Norway, Lithuania, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, the Philippines and Thailand have sent their protest letters to the Iranian government.
24 January
The Socialist Campaign Group of Labour MPs tables an Early Day Motion in the House of Commons expressing its concern and urging the British Government to press the Iranian government to respect trade union rights and International Labour Organization conventions.
26 January
8 members of the union’s Executive Board are summoned by the court and are not released. In an interview, the mayor of Tehran, a former top military official of Iran, who had made some promises to the syndicate, now calls the syndicate illegal and vows to stop the strike. The government and its intelligent and security forces, as well as the Tehran and Suburbs Bus Company, are using all kinds of intimidating and repressive tactics to prevent the strike. These include bringing new buses and drivers as strike breakers, distributing flyers in Tehran, accusing strikers as subversive and saboteurs and disseminating misinformation in the streets of Tehran that the strike will not take place.
28 January
In the morning, bus drivers are beaten and forced to drive buses in Tehran. According to the sources from Tehran, about 100 union members have been arrested since 27 January in Tehran. Despite facing heavy repression by police and other armed forces, the strike has already begun in some areas in Tehran. Some 1300 members of the union have been arrested. Hundreds of drivers and their wives and even children have been transferred to the Evin Prison where the jail and judiciary officials are interrogating them. To crush the strike, the security forces used tear gas, batons and the threat to shoot the strikers. In each area where 600 to 700 workers were expected to report to work about 1500 security forces were present. The Police has raided the homes of the syndicate members and the majority of the members of the Board of the union are now in custody.
29 January
More than 700 members of the union and a number of supporters are still in custody. Some 30 arrested workers have been seriously injured and required immediate medical attention. Some had to be transferred to the hospital. The jailed workers in Evin prison have decided to go on hunger strike.
30 January
The ICFTU sends its sixth protest letter to the Iranian government.
1 February
A group of family members and spouses of the jailed union workers gather outside the Majles (parliament). They are confronted by a large contingent of security force but some 100 members successfully proceed their demand for the immediate release of the imprisoned workers. The families vow to gather in front of the Islamic Revolution Court on 4 February.
In the meantime, the union issues its complaint letter to the International Labour Organization. Apart from the immediate release of the imprisoned unionists, recognition of the union and their collective bargaining rights, the union is demanding that the released workers be returned to work without any intimidation by the company to sign a statement of penitence in order to keep their job.
2 February
Amnesty International calls for the immediate release of the detained bus workers >>
Canadian Labor Congress (CLS) organises a protest rally in front of the Iranian Embassy in Ottawa. Trade unions including those in Japan, Australia, Luxembourg, Norway, Kenya, Great Britain send their protest letters.
4 February
Members of the Iranian community in Britain hold a protest rally at the Iranian embassy in London. Representatives of TUC, GMB and ITF join the action >>
Argentinian train drivers' union sends its protest letter.
7 February
According to the union's spokesperson, about 200 workers are now released. However, the company is refusing to reinstate them. In the meantime, on 6 February, the security force arrests another member of the union's Executive Board whilst he is visiting his mother.
8 February
Global Unions designate 15 February as their international action day to protest the violation of trade union rights against Teheran bus workers and their trade union.
Another member of the union's Executive Board is arrested in the southern part of Tehran. Only on the previous day, he made a narrow escape from the security force. He was almost detained at a job centre in Eastern Tehran where he was helping the bus workers that the company is refusing to reinstate. The authorities seem to be determined to arrest all members of the Executive Board and union's key activists.
12 February
The majority of the detained workers are now released. Some 70 - 80 unionists are still in Evin Prison. None of the union's Executive Board members are freed. The company continues to refuse reinstating those who were arrested.
13 February
Three members of the union's Executive Board are now released. 15 remain in custody. In the meantime, another bus driver is arrested. Some 100 workers stage protest in front of the Labour Ministry in Tehran for two consecutive days. ICFTU Online is released. ITF's Coordinating Committee for UK and Ireland sends out its statement concerning 15 February to the affilates.
14 February
Transport workers' unions including those in Australia, Canada, Korea, Russia and Turkey send their protest letter to the Iranian government. Buzz Hargrove, CAW cites; "the many arrests, whatever the exact number, are a completely disproportionate response to legitimate industrial action". Global Union Federations such as ICEM, IUF and UNI join the global protest.
15 February - Action Day Report 1
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).
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.
15 February - Action Day Report 2
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.
16 February - Action Day Report 3
Seven more members of the Executive Board are now released. Eight are still detained.
Thailand: Coordinated by the ITF Thai Committee, 50 members of BMTA-SWU, TRAN-U, LU-ETA, SRUT and AOT-SWU organised a demonstration and a 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.
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.
USA：Teamsters Union and Amalgamated Transit Union joined the protest rally in Washington DC. Some 100 participants chanted "free Mansour Osanloo now!"
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.
17 February - Action Day Report 4
The remaining 70-80 detainees are now all released except the following members: Mansour Osanloo, Ebrahim Madadi, Mansour Hayat Ghaibi, Yusseff Moradi, Yagoub Salimi, Ali Zat Hosseini, Mohammad Ebrahim Zat Gohari.
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".
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.
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.
22 February
There are six members of the union's Executive Board still in prison. The company continues to refuse reinstating the union activists. The number counts more than a few hundred and their financial hardship is growing.
23 February
On 22 February, some 150 bus workers hold a protest rally outside the Ministry of Labour, demanding their reinstatement. On 21 February, the judge for the first time allows the families of three detainees to meet them at Evin Prison.
The Iranian Labour News Agency (ILNA) reported on 11 February that a "Committee to Defend Workers' Trade Organisations in Iran" has released a statement demanding the unconditional release of all bus workers in Tehran. The Committee is comprised of 14 "traditional" unions (see below*). The statement cites that "independent" or "unofficial" trade union organisations continue to be oppressed in Iran and are led on a road to subservience and gradual death. The statement stresses that "these bus workers are protesting to achieve their basic rights and achievement of decent wages above the pverty line. Those who do not recognize such lawful rights of independent trade unions are treating workers unjustly and unfairly."
*Driver Training Organisation of Iran, Organisation of Inter City Bus Drivers of Iran, Trade Organisation of Inter City Bus Drivers of Kerman, Driving School Teachers' Trade Organisations of Tehran, Mashad, Arak, Shahrekord, Esphahan, Free Newspaper Reporters' Trade Organisation of Tehran, Painters' Trade Organisation of Tehran, Trade Organisation of the Employees of Khatamolanbiya Hospital, Driving School Teachers' Trade Organisation of Khoramabad, Islamic Labor Council of Tehranshimi Company, Trade Organisation of Mehrad Hospital Employees.
The statement has been sent to the Minister of Justice, Iranian President, Head of the Iranian Parliament, members of the Labour and Social Affairs Caucus of Parliament, Minister of Labour and Social Affairs, Mayor of Tehran, and all news agencies and Iranian newspapers.
24 February
Justice Minister Jamal Karimi-Rad admits on 22 February that six men are being held for "illegal acts" but fails to specify the charges. The authorities and the official press initially have been silent about the case. On February 6, Iran's reformist party, the Participation Front, lodged a protest.
27 February
The English version of the union's statement "On the Support and Solidarity of Workers Internationally" is released. It thanks all those who took part in the global Action Day on 15 February. The statement reveals the authority's announcement that the detainees would only be released if they sign a pledge to stop participating in union activities. Apparently, the authority has also said that it is not "wise at this time to allow the formation of trade unions in the country, and anyone deciding to participate in the union activities would be considered the opponent of the Islamic Republic System and thus will be prosecuted". The union is seeking further international pressure on the Iranian government. The original statement in Farsi was released on the day after the global protest.
4 March
Car plant workers at Khodro in Tehran put down their tools in protest for poor remuneration.
7 March
The union's spokesperson, Golam Reza Mirzaie is arrested three days ago in Tehran.
8 March
Representatives from the ICFTU and CLC lobby Angelika Beer, MEP in Brussels.
14 March
A list of 46 workers whose contracts have been terminated has been published by the state-owned bus company Sherkat e Vahed >> The list includes five members of the union's Executive who are still in prison. The company has stated that the orders came from the regime's intelligence authorities.
On 13 March, around 120 workers once again gathered outside various government offices and the bus company headquarters in protest at the continued barring of around 1,000 bus workers from work who have been without pay for the past six weeks. The workers were told that a decision will be made by 18 March.
15 March
Exactly one month after the international Action Day in solidarity with the Tehran bus workers, Global Unions send a joint letter of protest to the Iranian Government once again >> It condemns the continued arrest of the union leadership and the notice of dismissal to 46 Tehran bus workers that the company announced the previous day.
The ITF/FES road transport workers' seminar held in Cairo on 12-14 March 2006 adopts a resolution in support of the Tehran bus workers. Unions from Egypt, Jordan, Morocco, Palestine, Tunisia and Yemen send their protest to the government of Iran.
18 March
Ebrahim Madadi, the union's Vice-President and a Board member Yaghoub Salimi are released.
19 March
The remaining imprisoned activists with the exception of Mansour Osanloo and Afshin Bahrami, an auto worker who was arrested for supporting the bus strike, are released.
20 March
On the Iranian New Year's Day, Mansour Hayat Ghaibi has reportedly been re-arrested, less than 24 hours after he had been released from prison.
10 April
Mansour Hayat Ghaibi is released.
27 April
The ITF Executive Board meeting unanimously accepts the application for affiliation from the Syndicate of Workers of Tehran and Suburbs Bus Company (Sherkat-e Vahed).
1 May
1,000 police and security forces surround the 250 bus workers who gather at the Tehran Bus Company for a May Day rally and arrest 13 members including the union's Vice-President.
2 May
The ICFTU sends its protest letter to the President of Iran.
6 May
According to a public statement issued on 5 May 2006, imprisonment sentences given to the Saqez workers for celebrating the May Day in 2004 have been quashed.
Reliable sources from Iran indicate that all 13 members of the union arrested for participating in the May Day rally five days earlier have now been released. Mansour Osanloo remains in prison.
2 July
Two lawyers meet with Mansour Osanloo for the first time since his imprisonment in late December 2005. They were allowed to meet with him for 30 minutes. They felt that Osanloo needed medical treatment. At the same time, they agreed that his morale was in good shape. According to the union, the 180 workers who were sacked from the company following strike actions face an uncertain future and the authorities in the Labour Office are not doing anything about their problems. The health insurance deadline for many of these workers has already expired.
11 July
UK affiliate, the RMT unanimously adopts a motion in support of the union at its Annual General Meeting held in Dublin on 2-7 July 2006 >> (Farsi >>)
15 July
According to the ILNA News Agency, eight members of the union, including its Vice President are arrested at a peaceful rally in front of the Labour Ministry. The ILNA cited that the union did not have a permit for a rally. Those arrested on 15 July are Ebrahim Madadi, Syd Davood Razavi, Yagoub Salimi, Ata Baba Khani, Naser Golami, Syd Reza Nemati Pour, Manochehr Mahdavi Tabar and Ebrahim Nowrozi Gohari.
17 July
German union, ver.di sends a protest letter regarding the arrests.
19 July
All those who were arrested on 15 July are now released. It appears that that their families paid the bail. The ITF and ICFTU send their joint protest letter.
25 July
ITF and ICFTU submit a joint complaint to the ILO Freedom of Association Committee. The ILO acknowledges the joint ITF/ICFTU complaint as Case No. 2508 >>
2 August
A senior South African government representative addressing the ITF 41st Congress in Durban criticises the continued detention of Mansour Osanloo.
4 August
The Road Transport Workers' Section Conference held in conjunction with the Congress displays the video message from the union >>
Congress participants begin to sign a flag expressing solidarity for members of the union. The Conference agrees to launch a postcard campaign.
8 August
ITF Congress adopts an emergency resolution in support of the union >>
9 August
Mansour Osanloo is released. The news arrives ten minutes prior to the closure of the Congress.
17 August
Amnesty International announces that it will consider Mansour Osanloo a prisoner of conscience if he is convicted solely on the basis of charges which are not recognisably criminal, and relate to his trade union activities or to freedom of expression >>
29 August
Dismissed bus workers begin a sit-in protest at the Ministry of Labour's Tehran province office on Sarhang Safaie Street.
17 October
The union organises a successful action day where leadership and activists meet with as many Vahed bus workers as possible on a one-on-one basis to explain the activities and current issues of the union.
19 November
Mansour Osanloo is re-arrested in Tehran. He and two union Board members were on their way to the Labour Ministry when more than five plain clothed men from the Intelligent Ministry violently threw Osanloo into their car and drove away from Farjam Street. They fired shots into the open air to initimidate the unionists. The other two members, Ebrahim Madadi and Mansour Hayat Gheibi were not arrested.
Earlier, on 8 November, ten members of the union who were invited to an ILO workshop in Tabriz were detained by the local police for more than five hours upon arrival to the city. Through a protest by the ILO representative, they were subsequently released and took part in the workshop. Members of Islamic Council were present at the same meeting.
20 November
The ITF and ITUC (formerly known as ICFTU) send its joint protest letter >>
The AFL-CIO sends its protest letter >> (Farsi >>)
21 November
CGT in France sends its protest letter (French >> Farsi >>).
Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) sends its protest letter.
The ETF Road Transport Section adopts a resolution.
The ITF releases its press statement >>
24 November
The ITF launches its electronic protest campaign >>
Malaysian Airlines System Employees' Union sends its protest letter.
Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) sends its protest letter.
Canadian Labor Congress (CLC) addresses its protest letter to Ali Khamenei, Iran's supreme leader.
The British TUC sends its protest letter >>
27 November
Iranian media reports that the authorities have confirmed to Osanloo's wife that he is detained once again in Section 209 of the Evin Prison. The arrest warrant was issued because Osanloo failed to appear in court, say the authorities. Osanloo's lawyers dismiss the allegation as he was arrested the day before his court hearing on 20 November 2006.
Canadian Auto Workers' union (CAW) addresses its protest letter to Ali Khamenei, Iran's supreme leader.
The Deputy Chair of the Parliament of Venezuela sends its protest letter.
29 November
Amnesty International releases its statement >> (Farsi >>)
30 November
John McDonnell, Labour Party, Great Britain, submits an Early Day Motion on the re-arrest of Mansour Osanloo >>
1 December
The ITUC sends its protest letter >>
The ITUC writes to the Director General of the ILO, requesting his intervention to the case.
The ITF's Japanese Committee requests its affiliates to send their protest to the Iranian government.
Since Osanloo was re-arrested on Sunday 19 November, transport workers' unions in the Arab World have been on the forefront of the worldwide protest actions, says the ITF Amman Office. The affiliates in Morocco, Tunisia have visited their Iranian Embassy and lobbied their Foreign Ministry. Algerian, Lebanese and Jordanian affiliates have also raised their protest at their Iranian Embassy. The union in Yemen has sent its protest letter and unions in Kuwait and Bahrain are also expressing their solidarity to the Vahed workers and its union.
3 December
Osanloo meets with his lawyers. He also met with his wife briefly on 26 November.
Seyed Davoud Razavi, Abdolreza Tarazi and Golamreza Golam Hosseini, who are Executive Board members of the union are arrested in Tehran's Khavaran bus terminal whilst distributing union leaflets to fellow bus drivers. One leaflet was the translation of the ITUC's protest letter. Razavi and Tarazi are released the same evening. Hosseini, however, is kept in detention as his family had not been able to provide bail. They are amongst the 50 Vahed bus drivers who have been suspended for taking part in the strike action last December.
4 December
Teamsters union urges its members to join the ITF's electronic campaign >>
5 December
The Revolutionary Prosecutor’s Office of Tehran demands a 30 million Toman (US$33,000) bail as the condition for Osanloo’s release. His family refuses the payment. They already paid 150 million Toman in August for his release.
5 December
The ITF and the ITUC submit their additional information to the ILO's Freedom of Association Committee on Case 2508 (see
25 July 2006)
6 December
Koun-Rokyo, JSU, Zenkoku-Kowan, JR-Rengo and JRU in Japan send their protest letters.
8 December
ITF releases its press statement with reference to the International Human Rights Day on 10 December >>
9 December
Golamreza Golam Hosseini who has been in jail since 3 December is released.
The union releases its statement calling for the immediate release of Mansour Osanloo >> (Farsi >>)
11 December
The union releases its statement calling for the reinstatement of the 50 dismissed workers >> (Farsi >>)
13 December
The EU condemns the re-arrest of Mansour Osanloo >>
The ITF releases its press statement >> and news online >>
19 December
Mansour Osanloo is released on bail from Evin Prison and is back home. The union's Vice President Ibrahim Madadi said: I thank on behalf of Osanloo, his family and the members of Vahed, all the effective efforts from the ITUC, the ITF and their affiliates which led to the release of Osanloo today. We look forward to expanding our relationship so that ILO Convetions 87 and 98 will be implemented in Iran.
20 December
The union releases its statement on the release of Mansour Osanloo >> (Farsi >>)
17 January 2007
Ahmad Moradmand receives a letter of employment termination from the Ministry of Labour. He is one of the 50 dismissed workers from the company where the union is demanding reinstatement.
18 January
Ataolah BabaKhani receives the same letter.
21 January
Fazlolah Mazaheri receives the same letter.
22 January
The Ministry of Labour collects back the letters addressed to Ataolah BabaKhani, Ahmad Moradmand and Fazlolah Mazaheri, citing that the letter was sent to them by mistake.
10 February
The Ministry of Labour issues the termination of employment letters to a further 22 workers. The 22 workers are Davood Noroozi, Yousef Moradi, Ebrahim Norouzi Ghohari, Hasan Karimi, Hasan Saeedi, Gholamreza Gholamhoseini, Gholamreza Khoshmaram, Mahmood Hojabri, Mohmmad Sadegh Khandan, Jamil Bahadori, Mohammad Nomani Oour, Sultan Ali Shekari, Amir Takhiri, Hosein Karimi Sabzevar, Akbar Pir Hadi, Hadi Kabiri, Homaon Jaberi, Gholamreza Mirzaee, Vahab Mohammadi, Hamid Reza Rezaee Fard, Ali Zad Hosein, Gholamreza Khai
13 February
An additional two workers receive the same letter.
14 February
9 workers receive the back to work letter from the Ministry of Labour. They are Reza Shahabi, Naser Golami, Manouchehr Mahdavi Tabar, Hossein Mirzaie, Fazlolah Mazaheri, Nemat Amir Khani, Morteza Komisari, Javad Kefaiaty and Habibolah Rezapour.
15 February
The ITF launches an international online petition on key issues for the union such as reinstatement of the dismissed workers; recognition of the union and conclusion of a collective bargaining agreement. 15 February marks the anniversary of the highly successful worldwide action day protest in 2006.
On the anniversary day, 15 February, the union sends its message to their fraternal organisations and labour activists around the globe through the ITF >>
24 February
Mansour Osanloo is summoned to court. Eighty supporters are denied access to the hearing. Defense is granted one week to submit its argument. The judge is then supposed to be declaring his verdict within 48 hours.
According to the ILNA news agency, the charges against Osanloo are "attempts to jeopardize national security" and "propaganda against the state". But it is widely believed that his contacts with the international organisations such as the ILO, the ITF and the ITUC are the key reasons behind his arrest and indictment.
700 metro workers protest against privatisation in front of the President's Office in Tehran.
3, 6, 8 March
Thousands of school teachers protest in front of the parliament and in the regions over low wages, declaring a general strike.
8 March
33 out of 36 women who protested sexual discrimination in front of the court four days ago are released. They are warned not to participate in International Women's Day activities.
11 March
The ITUC and ETUC protest over the women's arrest.
13, 14 March
Representatives of the teachers' association and members of the parliament meet but no agreement is reached. The following day, they are arrested en masse and the protest action is brutally crushed.
16 March
150 teachers remain detained. Amnesty International releases its statement.
1 May
Mansour Osanloo, who was in the Tehran Metro to participate in a May Day rally is detained by personnel from the Interior Ministry for an hour. He is freed by the protest action of his fellow union executive board members. One board member is detained by the Ministry.
28 May
Mansour Osanloo's lawyer says that Branch 14 of the Tehran revolutionary Court has phoned them to give a sentence verdict of 5-years to Mansour Osanloo but no official document was delivered to them.
12 June
Mansour Osanloo arrives in London to attend the ITF Road Transport Workers' Section Annual Meeting.
ITF Press Statement >>
13-15 June
Mansour Osanloo addresses the meeting and participates in the meeting discussions with more than 50 ITF unions from 38 countries.
ITF News Online >>
Statement by Mansour Osanloo >> (English) >> (Farsi)
15 June
The ILO's Freedom of Association Committee releases its report on the Case 2508 (see 25 July 2006). It recommends, amongst other things, that the Iranian Government takes "all measures to ensure that trade unions can be formed and function without hindrance, including through the de facto recognition of the union".
18 June
Mansour Osanloo visits the TUC.
19 June
Mansour Osanloo visits the ITUC in Brussels.
20-21 June
Mansour Osanloo is greeted by trade union leaders including those from Australia, Barbados, Belgium, Canada, France, Great Britain, Italy, Japan, Mexico, the Netherlands, South Korea, Palestine, Ukraine, USA and the GUFs.
21 June
Mansour Osanloo addresses the ITUC General Council meeting.
ITUC Online >>
View: Photos of Osanloo's visit to ITF and ITUC
Available on our Flickr site
22 June
Mansour Osanloo returns home.
Upon arrival, the union releases the following statement, "The Syndicate considers the participation of its first independent representative an enormous success, and congratulates the society of workers on this joyful event. The Vahed Syndicate extends its thanks to the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) and the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) and other unions including the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC). We hope this solidarity and these efforts lead to the adherence of workers rights for Iranian workers, including the right to form free and independent trade unions, and to enact Convention 87 of the International Labor Organization.
www.syndicavahed.org/
3 July
The union's Vice President, Ebrahim Madadi is detained by the Bharestan station police for alleged "public disorder". He was on his regular visit to the Western Tehran Labour Department to discuss the dismissal of 40 workers. Earlier, on 10 June he was beaten severely by seven men after the Vice Director of the office refused to deal with the cases. His injuries required hospital treatment.
4 July
The union organises the protest action in front of the Ministry of Justice. ITF sends its message of solidarity. Madadi is released unconditionally within 24 hours of his detention.
10 July
Mansour Osanloo is kidnapped by unidentified men from a bus near his home in Tehran around 7pm. He had been followed all day by a metallic grey Peugeot.
The ITF releases its statement in English and Farsi:
"The ITF is informed tonight that Mansour Osanloo, president of the Tehran Bus Workers Union is kidnapped by unidentified men around 7pm local time. His safety is unconfirmed after two hours of the incident. On behalf of its five million transport workers affiliated to the ITF, we condemn this cowardly act. We demand an immediate and unconditional release of Mansour Osanloo. We call upon the Global Unions and the wider civil society to raise their voices together to protest against this blatant violation of human and trade union rights and urge you to be ready for any further actions necessary to free Mansour Osanloo."
ITF Statement in Farsi >>
The ITF releases its Online News >>
(Osanloo kidnapped from Tehran Bus)
11 July
The ITUC and the ITF send their joint protest letter to the Iranian government >>
The ITUC sends its letter to the ILO Director General about the abduction of Mansour Osanloo >>
British union, GMB sends its protest letter >>
Portuguese railway union, SINDEFER highlights its protest on its webpage >>
The British TUC sends its protest letter >>
The Federation of Transport, Petroleum and Agricultural Workers in Cyprus sends its protest letter >>
The AFL-CIO sends its protest letter >>
Education International sends its protest letter >>
British union, TSSA sends its protest letter >>
Amnesty International sends its protest letter >>
The Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders makes its appeal >>
The workers of Iran Khodro release their protest statement >>
The Canadian Labour Congress sends its protest letter >>
The ITF releases its press statement >>
(Trade unions fight to protect kidnapped Iranian)
The BBC World Service reports on events. ITF General Secretary, David Cockroft is interviewed. The report is also made available on the BBC Online News Service >> andthe BBC Persian Service >>
The ITF and the ITUC submit additional information to the ILO's Freedom of Association Committee on Case 2508. The submission includes, inter-alia, information on the abduction of Mansour Osanloo (see also 25 July 2006 and 5 December 2006)
12 July
Spanish union, UGT sends its protest letter >>
British union, ASLEF sends its protest letter >>
The Japanese Trade Union Confederation (JTUC-RENGO) sends its protest letter >>
Swiss union, SEV sends its protest letter >>
Finnish union, AKT sends its protest letter >>
Turkish Aviation Union, Hava-Is highlights the protest appeal on its website in Turkish view online >>
The union releases its statement in protest of Mansour Osanloo's abduction >>
The Syndicate of Computer Workers in Iran releases its protest statement >>
After two days of denying all knowledge of his whereabouts, the authorities in Iran admit that Mansour Osanloo is being held in Evin Prison, Tehran.
The ITF releases its press statement >>
Canadian union, CAW sends its protest letter >>
13 July
HKCTU and its transport sector FTO organise protest action at the Iranian consulate in Hong Kong. View photos (flickr) >>
The Reestablishment Committee of the Syndicate of Workers of Building Paints in Iran releases its protest statement >>
The 'Voices of Solidarity' page is set-up as the ITF Amman Office receives messages from unions in the region >>
European Union Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner makes a statement calling on Iran to ensure the release of Mansour Osanloo >>
The AFL-CIO Solidarity Center releases its press statement >>
Belgian union, BTB sends its protest letter >>
14 July
The Pakistan Transport Workers' Federation sends its protest letter >>
16 July
British union, the TGWU sends its protest letter >>
The Australian Rail, Tram and Bus Industry Union sends its protest letter >>
The Confederation of German Trade Unions (DGB) sends its protest letter >>
17 July
The International Transport Federation Malaysia Council sends its protest letter >>
US union, the SEIU sends its protest letter >>
18 July
The Austrian Trade Union Federation (ÖGB) sends its protest letter and also highlights the protest appeal on its website >>
The US union, the Teamsters releases its press statement >>
The ITF releases its press statement >>
19 July
The National Union of Public and General Employees in Canada sends its protest letter >>
20 July
Youssef Mowlaie, one of the union lawyers, tells Radio Farda that the arrest order for Mansour Osanloo came from the security division of the judiciary. They have now issued a one month temporary detention which could be extended for another month. The involvement of this division leads him to believe that the authorities are charging him for acting against national security. Mr. Mowlaie says that Mansour Osanloo has protested against his detention in prision and his wife Parvaneh Osanloo has called the charges groundless and unreasonable. Currently, he is prohibited from meeting his lawyers and his family.
The Norwegian Transport Workers' Union highlights the protest appeal on its website >>
The Austrian Union for Transport and Services, vida sends its protest letter >>
21 July
The Librarian's Guild, AFSCME Local 2626 adopts a resolution in solidarity with the Tehran Bus Workers' Union and demanding the immediate release of Mansour Osanloo >>
23 July
The BWI (Building and Wood Workers' International) joins the ITUC/ITF protest >>
24 July
The ITUC and ITF jointly announce forthcoming Thursday 9 August as the International Action Day in solidarity with Mansour Osanloo and Mahmoud Salehi. Joint Appeal >>
27 July
The AIRF in India sends its protest letter >>
30 July
TRANSNET in Germany sends its protest letter >>
The ITF Indonesia Coordinator sends a protest letter >>
31 July
The Indonesian Seafarers' Union sends its protest letter >>
The Bangladesh Seamens Association sends its protest letter >>
1 August
ITF sets up www.freeosanloo.org url
3 August
The British National Association of Schoolmasters Union of Women Teachers (NASUWT) sends their protest letter to the Iranian government.
7 August
The Irish Congress of Trade Unions sends its protest letter >>
8 August
CFDT in France sends its protest letter >>
9 August
The ITF and ITUC organise International Action Day in solidarity with Mansour Osanloo and Mahmoud Salehi. Click here to read the worldwide reports >>
The union spokesperson, Saeed Torabian informs the ITF and ITUC that five members of the Executive Board of the union are arrested this morning at their home. They are Ebrahim Madadi, Ebrahim Gohari, Davood Razavi, Yaghoub Salimi and Homayoun Jaberi. Union supporters including Fatemeh Hajilou are also detained.
14 August
As a result of the successful Action Day on 9 August, Mansour Osanloo meets with his lawyers for the first time since his abduction more than a month ago. He is also allowed to speak to his wife on the phone.
16 August
The ITUC says that Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is attending the annual summit meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan where he will face criticism of his government's human rights record by national trade union organisations in a number of SCO states. (ITUC Online >>)
22 August
Ebrahim Gohari is released without any bail, together with Fatemeh Hajilou. Other supporters were released earlier.
28 August
Yaghoub Salimi is released.
3 September
The spouses of Ebrahim Madadi, Davoud Razavi and Homayoun Jaberi are allowed to visit the Evin prison to meet with their husbands.
Mrs. Parvaneh Osanloo and her sister-in-law visit UN Human Rights Commissioner, Louise Arbour at the UN office. They are violently stopped by the secret police in front of the UN building. A vehement protest by the Nobel Peace Prize winner, Shirin Ebadi sets them free but they could not meet with the UN official.
8 September
The union informs the ITF that Davoud Razavi has been released from Evin Prison on a 50,000 USD bail.
9 September
Homayoun Jaberi is released on a 50,000 USD bail. Mansour Osanloo and Ebrahim Madadi remain detained in Evin Prison.
17 September
After 70 days in prison, Mansour Osanloo meets with the members of his family including his wife, two sons and mother for the first time.
1 October
The ITF announces its "Free Osanloo" badge campaign in conjunction with its annual Road Transport Action Week on 15 - 21 October.
5 October
The union releases its statement of support for the Haft Tapeh Sugar Cane Company dispute
>>
7-10 October
Indonesian trade unionists, Hanafi Rustandi and Syukur Sarto visit Tehran. During their stay, they meet with the union executive board and the families of Mansour Osanloo and Ebrahim Madadi, as well as with relatives of Mahmoud Salehi.
10 October
The union starts a petition demanding the authorities release Mansour Osanloo and Ebrahim Madadi
>>
15-21 October
Bus workers worldwide wear the "Free Osanloo" badge during the ITF Action Week. An European protest rally is held in front of the Iranian Embassy in Brussels.
16 October
The ITF launches the film "Freedom will come - the story of Mansour Osanloo"
>>
17 October
UK union, RMT sends a protest letter to the Iranian government
>>
Amnesty International launches an emergency petition to demand medical treatment for Mansour Osanloo and Mahmoud Salehi
>>
18 October
Three masked men shoot Majid Hamidi, a grocery worker and labour activist in Sanandaj, seven times in his arm, shoulder and neck. Hamidi is eventually taken to Tehran for specialist surgery.
20 October
Mansour Osanloo receives emergency eye treatment >>
23 October
The European Parliament resolution on Iran calls on the United Nations and the UN Human Rights Council to resume the monitoring of the human rights situation in Iran and re-appoint a Special Rapporteur for this purpose
>>
25 October
Mansour Osanloo is sent back to Evin Prison and enters its medical centre.
26 October
The ITF Executive Board meeting held in Tunis adopts an emergency resolution demanding the immediate and unconditional release of Mansour Osanloo, Ebrahim Madadi and Mahmoud Salehi
>>
26 October
An ILO mission, led by Cleo Doumbia-Henry, to investigate the compliance of ILO Conventions 95 and 111, visited Tehran from 26 October. While in Tehran, she raised the issue of Osanloo's continued imprisonment which appeared to be in relation to trade union activities as well as his state of health with the Deputy Minister of Labour, the Deputy Minister of Parliamentary and International Affaris and the Deputy Minister of Justice and requested permission to visit him. While informed that the government had no objection to such a visit, the judge concerned declined to allow a visit, citing Osanloo's health condition as the main reason. The mission was, however, given assurances by the government that he was now receiving proper medical treatment.
29 October
A question is raised in the House of Commons, UK about Mansour Osanloo's health conditions
>>
30 October
The ITF condemns the announcement of Mansour Osanloo's sentence
>>
1 November
Teamsters Canada demonstrates solidarity at Parliament Hill
>>
6 November
Homa News in Iran reports that bus drivers in Busheher, Southern Iran, have not received their wages for the last two months.
The ITF's European arm, the European Transport Workers' Federation (ETF) lobbies the members of the European Parliament
>>
7 November
Haft Tapeh workers go on a shift strike following another arrest of a workers' representative
>> (Iran Labour Rights Watch)
8 November
Early Day Motion in the UK House of Commons condemns attacks on Iranian unionists
>>
10 November
The General Union of Transport Workers of Palestine sends its message of solidarity to the Tehran Bus Workers' Union.
15 November
Mansour Osanloo is moved from Ward 209 to Ward 7 in Evin prison. On the same day, he is taken briefly to Basir Hospital for his eye check-up.
Gorban Alipour, the Haftapeh Sugar Factory spokesperson is released on a US$10,000 bail
>> (Iran Labour Rights Watch)
16 November
The ITF Dockers' Section Steering Committee resolves to support the Free Osanloo Campaign.
18 November
Reza Dehghan, Union of the Painters (Sandicika Nagash) is arrested. He is summoned by court and then taken to Evin prison.
19 November
The British union, T&G Section of UNITE sends a protest letter to the Iranian government
>>
21 November
The Belgian union, BTB sends a protest letter to the Foreign Affairs Minister in Brussels
>> (
French >>)
22 November
Ver.di organises the Free Osanloo film show in Borken to officers responsible for the urban transport sector in the Nordrhein Westfalen region.
23 November
The Tehran Bus Workers' Union send a message of solidarity to the French transport workers (
Farsi >>) (
French >>)
25 November
Hospital Employees' Union, CUPE, Canada sends a protest letter to the Iranian President
>>
27 November
The union lawyers, Parviz Khorshid and Dr. Yousef Mowlaie, submit their resignations to the Court. They will no longer represent the union.
29 November
The ITF "Free Osanloo" film is shown in Tunisia to the railway unions from Algeria, Egypt, Morocco and Tunisia.
The ITF and ITUC submit additional information to the ILO's Freedom of Association Committee. They also write to the ILO to request that the union and its leaders in prison are properly represented by lawyers.
30 November
One of the dismissed bus workers, Nemat Amir Khani is granted the right to resume his job by the Supreme Court.
Mansour Osanloo complains of a hernia problem.
4 December
Charges against Sayed Davood Razavi relating to his arrest on 9 August are dropped by the Court.
5 December
The ITF "Free Osanloo" film is shown in Hobart, Tasmania at the RTBU national conference. The delegates wear the Free Osanloo badge and adopt a resolution in solidarity with the Tehran Bus Workers' Union.
6 December
The ITF organises a "Free Osanloo" film show in Sydney for union representatives from AMWU, ASU, MUA, RTBU and TWU. The meeting agrees to set-up a solidarity committee in Australia. The film show also takes place simultaneously in Melbourne for the members of the Victoria Trades Council. The meeting adopts a resolution in solidarity with the Iranian workers' movement.
7 December
The visiting delegation from the European Parliament meets with trade unionists and the families of the arrested union leaders in Tehran.
11 December
The ITF Asia/Pacific Railway Section Meeting in Jakarta resolves to support the Free Osanloo Campaign. The delegates from Australia, India, Indonesia, Japan, New Zealand, Malaysia, Mongolia and Thailand wear the campaign badge and visits the Iranian Embassy in protest.
Mahmoud Salehi is taken to the Tohid Hospital in Sanandaj for the second time in a week. This time, he was unconscious and his blood pressure is very unstable.
14 December
Four activists are arrested at the Chitgar Park in Tehran as they participate in a social gathering.
16 December
Ebrahim Madadi, the Vice-President of the union is released.
18 December
Amnesty International starts its Urgent Action for Mahmoud Salehi
>>
19 December
The ITF and ITUC send a joint letter to the Iranian authorities to demand urgent medical treatment for Mahmoud Salehi.
Many unions around the world respond immediately. They include the Canadian Merchant Service Guild; AKT, Finland; the State Railway Workers' Union of Thailand (SRUT); Teamsters Canada; Trades Union Congress (TUC), UK; the T&G section of Unite Grampian and Northern Isles District Committee, UK; the Seafarers' Union of Croatia; the Indonesian Seafarers' Union (KPI); ACV-CSC Transcom, Belgium; the General Federation of Jordanian Trade Unions; SYTRACOM, Democratic Republic of Congo.
20 December
Education International (EI) reports that nine teachers were sentenced to 91 days imprisonment on 14 December by a criminal court in the province of Hamadan. Ali Sadeghi, Yousef Zareie, Majid Fourouzanfar, Jalal Naderi, Yousef Refahiyat, Hadi Gholami, Nader Ghadimi, Ali Najafi, Mahmood Jalilian are charged with "disturbing social order, issuing announcements and holding illegal gatherings".
21 December
Mansour Osanloo is visited by his mother in prison. He complains of a kidney problem.
The ITF Indonesian Coordinating Committee delivers a letter to President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono. Campaigning for the release of Mahmoud Salehi and Mansour Osanloo, they request President Yudhoyono's intervention during his official visit to Iran from 11 January 2008.
www.thejakartapost.com
The Seafarers and Maritime Workers' Union of Western Russia sends its protest letter to the Iranian government
>>
27 December
Four labour activists, Ebrahim Gohari, Mohsen Hakimi, Alireza Asghari and Hossein Gholami are released on bail. They were arrested on 14 December at the Chitgar Park in Tehran.
The Australian union, ASU sends its protest letter to the Iranian government
>>
1 January 2008
Members of the union's Executive Board greet Osanloo at the hospital where he was making a day-visit for treatment on his eye.
A group of doctors is making a recommendation to the court that Osanloo be given proper medical treatment outside of jail for at least three months. They are now waiting for the response from judge Hadad.
3 January
500 activists rally in front of the Presidential Palace in Jakarta. Organised by the ITF Indonesian Coordinating Committee prior to the official visit to Iran by President Yudhoyono, the unions demand the Indonesian government to raise the cases of Mahmoud Salehi and Mansour Osanloo with the Iranian authorities.
5 January
ISNA reports that Ebrahim Madadi is now charged with 'obstruction of public order'. He was summoned to the Revolutionary Court on the previous day. It is believed that this is related to the incident on 3 July 2007 when he was detained for one night by the Bharestan station police for alleged 'public disorder'. He was arrested upon his regular visit to the Western Tehran Labour Department to discuss the dismissal of 40 workers.
7 January
Human Rights Watch releases its report, "You Can Detain Anyone for Anything: Iran's Broadening Clampdown on Independent Activism", criticising the Iranian government relying on its broadly worded 'security laws' to suppress virtually any public expression of dissent
>>
8 January
The T&G Section of Unite (Passenger Transport Group) shows the ITF promotional film at its national meeting. More film shows will now be organised by the delegates with possible contacts in the UK Muslim community.
The union reports an "unexpected meeting" on its webpage. It says that Yagoub Salimi, a member of the Executive Board was at a clergy group's meeting in the old building of the Islamic Council Parliament where he talked to the President of Iran personally and asked him to solve the problems of dismissed bus workers
>>
9 January
We have been informed by our affiliate, KPI in Indonesia that President Yudhoyono is to postpone his official visit to Iran until February after the mass protest by ITF unions on 3 January over Iran's violation of trade union and human rights.
Mahmoud Salehi is transferred to the Tohid Hospital for medical tests from Sanandaj's Central Prison. He is, however, taken back to jail on the following day.
The T&G Section of Unite Branch 6/680 in Liverpool shows the "Freedom will come" film and expresses solidarity with the Iranian workers.
10 January
The Deputy Chair of the Parliament of Venezuela writes to the Iranian Ambassodor to Venezuela, urging the Iranian government to resolve the cases of Mahmoud Salehi and Mansour Osanloo.
The Mexican public transport union (ATM) leader requests the Iranian Ambassodor to Mexico to meet and discuss the cases of Salehi and Osanloo. He is also the president of Mexico/Iran Friendship Association.
The UK public services union, UNISON is circulating its request for Urgent Action on Iran to all its branches (1,200) with a link to the Amnesty hosted email action.
www.unison.org.uk/international/pages_view.asp?did=6304
The ITF releases pictures of Mansour Osanloo taken on 1 January when he made a day visit to the hospital for treatment on his eye.
14 January
A question is raised in the House of Commons, UK about Mahmoud Salehi's health conditions.
www.publications.parliament.uk
15 January
New Internationalist magazine - which has campaigned for global justice for 30 years - has awarded a human rights gold medal to the Syndicate of Workers of Tehran and Suburbs Bus Company (Sherkat-e Vahed) and its members, including its imprisoned leader, Mansour Osanloo.
www.newint.org
14-15 January
ITF civil aviation unions express solidarity and support to the Free Osanloo Campaign at a meeting in Cairo.
17 January
Mahmoud Salehi is taken from the prison's medical clinic to Tohid Hospital's emergency unit.
Iran Labour Rights Watch reports that Alireza Hashemi, General Secretary of the Teachers Organisation in Iran is sentenced to three years in jail
>>
21 January
Judge Mohamedi dismisses the doctors' request to release Mansour Osanloo from jail for 45 days for medical treatment. He says that the family has to pay an impossible amount of 1 billion Toman as bail.
Chiako Gharbehi and Mehrdad Amin Vaziri are detained by the police. They are members of the Committee in Defense of Mahmoud Salehi. Their charge was taking photographs of Mahmoud Salehi at hospital. They are released the following day.
The Austrian transport union, VIDA, sends a letter to the European Parliament to request further promotion of workers' rights in Iran >>
The Haft Tapeh Sugar Cane Company workers issue a statement on their decision to form an independent organisation after their successful strike action in 2007. The first step is to create a founding committee which will organise a general assembly of workers.
22 January
The Tehran Bus Workers' Union sends a message of solidarity to the ITF Urban Transport Committee meeting held in the Netherlands. The ITF organises the film show and delegates wear the Free Osanloo badge during the meeting. The meeting resolves to organise a worldwide action day in March to support the workers' movement in Iran.
24 January
Mansour Osanloo receives a second surgery on his left eye at a hospital outside of Evin Prison
>>
28 January
The Dutch trade union federation FNV informs the ITF that Mansour Osanloo has won their Febe Elizabeth Velasquez Trade Union Award 2007. Each year, the FNV honours those who have defended union rights under difficult circumstances and at their personal risk.
In its resolution, the Presidency of the European Union calls upon the Iranian authorities to put an end to all acts of harassment against all Iranian human rights defenders >>
1 February
Maritime journal "Tradewinds" reports that Iranian owners are shunning their national flag and placing their ships in the Maltese and Cypriot registers in an effort to secure financing from international banks. It includes Iran's top owners, the National Iranian Tanker Co (NITC) and Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines (IRISL).
2 February
Mansour Osanloo is sent back to Evin Prison despite the doctors' recommendation for adequate treatment at hospital (see also 24 January).
5 February
ITF FOC Coordinators watch the campaign film, Freedom Will Come, at their meeting in London and pledge their solidarity and support to the Iran Campaign.
6 February
Indonesian Seafarers' Union (KPI) "asks President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono to cancel a planned visit to Iran because of what it said was Tehran's suppression of labor unions and human rights" says the Jakarta Post >>
7 February
ITF releases its media statement on the joint ITUC/ITF Action Day, 6 March 2008, in solidarity with the Iran workers >>
ITF shows the campaign film, Freedom Will Come, to the maritime members of the Swedish Transport Workers' Union.
8 February
Japanese public transport union, Shitetsu Soren, features the Iran Campaign on its web news >>
ITF FOC Coordinator, Joris De Hert organises the "I'm wearing the badge!" photo session in Antwerp >>
TUC, RMT, ASLEF, T&G Section of UNITE, UNISON, GMB, ITF and Amnesty International UK Section meet to plan the Action Day on 6 March.
12 February
The ITF Tokyo Office, together with Rengo and Koun Rokyo holds a conference on workers' rights. 110 participants from ITF affiliates, UNI as well as human rights organisations including Amnesty International discuss the ITF's campaigns in Iran, Guatemala and Burma.
13 February
LabourStart launches its online petition demanding the release of Mansour Osanloo and Mahmoud Salehi
>>
24 February
Mansour Osanloo is taken to a hospital for a medical check on his left eye.
2 March
The ITF releases the Worldwide Update with action plans from 34 countries for 6 March >>
5 March
CAWs Take Action Now! >>
ITF Worldwide Update (3) >>
ITF media releases
* Mass support for Osanloo release: UK events >>
* World support for Osanloo release >>
* ITF puts spotlight on Iranian ships in defence of jailed union leader >>
Joint message by the ITUC, ITF and Amnesty International >>
(français) (español) (Arabic) (Farsi)
Leaflet by ACV-Transcom >>
Protest letter by CFDT, CGT Transports, CGT Cheminots and FO, France >>
Statement by the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Russia >>
Protest letter by the Maritime Union of New Zealand >>
New Zealand unions media release >>
Protest letter by the AFL-CIO >>
Posters by Australian unions >> (poster 1) >> (poster 2)
Teamsters Canada lobbies parliamentarians >>
BWI web story >>
RMT confirms leafleting on 6 March, together with the TUC and other transport unions, at several stations in Great Britain from 07:30-09:00 >>
6 March
Global Action Day in solidarity with workers in Iran
Headlines from Breaking News 1-7
* Action Day in Iran
* Rally in Toronto
* Gatherings in Basra and Palestine
* Embassy visits in Lisbon, Oslo and Seoul
* Solidarity from oil, rail and inland waterway workers
* Unions from Middle East and North Africa join the Action Day
* FNV awards Febe Elisabeth Velasquez Prize to Osanloo
* Nationwide actions in Belgium and Great Britain
* More embassy protests; Amman, Casablanca, Bangkok, Berlin and London
* Picket in Vilnius
* Protest Letter in Romania
* Embassy visit in Moscow
* Meeting with Iranian shipping company in Hamburg
* Information campaign in Denmark
* Demonstrations in Delhi and Brussels
* Global Unions delegation visits Iranian Mission in Geneva
* Rail workers from Belgium, France, Germany and Luxembourg express their solidarity
* 45,000 leaflets distributed in Japan
* Visit to Embassy in Tokyo
* Rally in Lahore
* Protest letters in Ethiopia
* Protest in Jakarta and Sydney
* Leafleting in Hong Kong
* Solidarity message by MUA crew members
* Protest in Kiev and Wellington
* Australian Foreign Minister statement
For more information about the
6 March Action Day,
click here >>
7 March
The ITF Inspector in the port of Abbott (Australia) visits an Iranian ship to deliver the ITF message.
8 March
The ITF Inspector in the port of Taranto (Italy) visits an Iranian ship to deliver the ITF message.
10 March
The ITF Inspector in the port of Montreal (Canada) visits an Iranian ship to deliver the ITF message.
The ITF Inspector in the port of Las Palmas (Spain) visits an Iranian ship to deliver the ITF message.
17 March
Mahmoud Salehi goes on hunger strike after new charges (communicating with those outside prison for the purposes of issuing messages of solidarity) are issued against him. It appears intended to justify Mahmoud Salehi’s continued detention beyond his scheduled 23 March 2008 release date, when he will have completed a one year prison sentence.
Amnesty UK holds an information seminar called "Iran: Campaigning Together for Human and Trade Union Rights" in London with the ITF.
19 March
Amnesty International and international trade union bodies condemn the repressive measures meted out against trade union leader Mahmoud Salehi. (ITUC Press Release >>)
21 March
The ITF Inspector in the port of Ravenna (Italy) visits an Iranian ship to deliver the ITF message.
26 March
The ITF Inspector in the port of Hay Point (Australia) visits an Iranian ship to deliver the ITF message.
27 March
The ITF message is delivered to an Iranian ship in the port of Hiroshima (Japan) by the ship's agent at the request of the ITF Inspector.
31 March
The ITF Inspector in the port of Yokohama (Japan) visits an Iranian ship to deliver the ITF message.
4 April
The plight of bus union leader Mansour Osanloo is highlighted at an Amnesty International UK trade union conference in Nottingham. The ITF film "Freedom will Come" is shown to delegates at the meeting.
The ITF Inspector in the port of Newcastle (Australia) visits an Iranian ship to deliver the ITF message.
6 April
7 April
The ITF Inspector in the port of Ulsan (Korea) visits an Iranian ship to deliver the ITF message.
8 April
The union expresses its condolences following the sudden death of Janek Kuczkiewicz, Director of the ITUC Human and Trade Union Rights Department on 7 April.
The ITF Inspector in the port of Mumbai (India) visits two Iranian ships to deliver the ITF message.
16 April
Prominent parliamentarian lauds Teamsters Canada as a leader in defending human rights following the union's active role in promoting human rights in Iran
>> (CAW site)
(French)18 April
The ITF Inspector in the port of Muuga (Estonia) visits an Iranian ship to deliver the ITF message.
21 April
The ITF Inspector in the port of Genoa (Italy) visits the agent of an Iranian ship to deliver the ITF message.
23 April
ITF Inspectors in the port of Antwerp (Belgium) visits two Iranian ships to deliver the ITF message.
25 April
The ITF Executive Board discusses the Iran Campaign.
27 April
Mansour Osanloo is taken out of Evin prison for treatment on his eye.
For a short time, he meets with his family members and then with the union's leadership including Ebrahim Madadi and Saeed Torabian. Some discussions take place about the union's planned activities and Osanloo feels strongly that the independent workers and their trade unions celebrate May Day. His doctors, once again, make their recommendation that at least a month is necessary to provide adequate treatment on his left eye.
28 April
The ITF Inspector in the port of Incheon (Korea) visits an Iranian ship to deliver the ITF message.
1 May
Trade unionists in Iran are met with violence and repression as they attempt to participate in this year’s May Day celebrations.
(ITF News Online story >>)4 May
The ITF Inspector in the port of Tuticorin (India) visits an Iranian ship to deliver the ITF message.
5 May
ICEM protests Iran's brutal use of force to break up a tyre strike at Kian Tyre, near Chahardangeh just west of Tehran on 12 April. (ICEM Press Release >>)
14 May
The ITF Inspector in the port of Odessa (Ukraine) visits an Iranian ship to deliver the ITF message.
15 May
The union holds Chehelom in memory of Janek Kuczkiewicz. This is a religious ceremony that takes place 40 days after a death.
31 May
Osanloo receives his third eye surgery in Tehran. According to reports, Osanloo is taken to hospital in handcuffs and after his operation is watched over by four guards, one of whom is armed.
6 June
Members of the Romanian Seafarers Free Union and Port Workers Federation take part in a solidarity meeting at 10h00 in Constanta Port. Activists demand social rights for trade unions in Iran and the immediate release of Mansour Osanloo. A letter of protest is sent to the Iranian Embassy in Bucharest.
11 June
In a speech to the plenary session of the International Labour Conference of the ILO (International Labour Organisation) in Geneva, ITF General Secretary David Cockroft highlights the continued lack of freedom of association in Iran and in particular the case of Mansour Osanloo.
(ITF Press Release >>)
16 June
Javanmir Moradi and Taha Azadi are released on bail after 47 days imprisonment. They are members of the Executive Board of the Iranian Workers Free Trade Union who were arrested on 1 May in Asaluyeh city in Southern Iran for participating in May Day activities.
18 June
Osanloo is transferred from Labafinejad hospital to a medical centre
in Evin prison.
The first Founders Board of the Syndicate of the Workers of Haft Tapeh Sugar Cane is established. The Vahed Syndicate sends a message of solidarity to the workers >>
24 June
Gholamreza Gholamhosseini, a member of the Vahed Syndicate Executive Board, is arrested by police in Tehran while visiting Shirodi Stadium, where an event to mark Iran's Women's Day was taking place. He is sent to Evin Prison the following day. (ITF News Online story >>)
9 July
The ITF receives a report that Osanloo may have been diverted from a pre-arranged hospital appointment and instead taken to court for a further arraignment.
10 July
On the anniversary of the violent arrest of Mansour Osanloo the ITF, ITUC and Amnesty International release a statement demanding the release of Osanloo and calling for solidarity with all Iranian workers.
(ITF Press Release >>)
11 July
The Court demands a US$150,000 bail from the family of Gholamreza Gholamhosseini as a condition for his release. His family are unable to pay this amount.
The Supreme Court of Iran approves the execution of Farzad Kamagar, a 33-year old Kurdish teacher and trade unionist.
(Education International >>)
12 July
It is reported that in Rasht, twelve intelligence forces attack the house of the head of the Iranian Teachers Trade Associations, where a meeting of the Central Body of the Coordinating Council of the Associations was being held. The attack takes place at 11:00 local time, on the second day of the meeting. Participants at the meeting are beaten and insulted by members of the intelligence forces. According to reports nobody is arrested.
14 July
The CAW sends a letter to the Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran demanding the immediate release of Mansour Osanloo >>
18 July
Amnesty International reports that Iranian Kurdish human rights defender Farhad Haji Mirza'i is being held in Tehran's Evin Prison and is believed to have been mentally and physically tortured. Amnesty believes that he may be a prisoner of conscience, held solely on account of his peaceful activism in defence of human rights.
20 July
ITF affiliates in Turkey organise a rally and a joint press conference in front of the Iranian Embassy in Ankara at 12:00 to demand the release of Mansour Osanloo and to highlight that union rights should be respected in Iran and in Turkey. 100 union activists from BTS, TUMTIS, HAVA-IS and DADDER marched to the Embassy, where a black wreath was laid.
29-30 July
The ITF Asia/Pacific Road Transport Meeting held in Tokyo unanimously adopts a motion in solidarity with the Iranian workers and demanding their basic trade union rights.
1 August
A local protest is held in Kamiram city to demand the release of Farzad Kamangar.
Benito Bahena (ATM, Mexico) and Antonio Fritz, ITF Inter-AMerican Regional Secretary, meet with the Iranian Ambassador in Mexico City to brief the Free Osanloo campaign and demand his immediate release.
10 August
The Supreme Court of Employment rejects an appeal for return to work by nine bus workers who had still not been reinstated after they were dismissed by the company in 2006. Only two workers - Nemat Amirkhani and Ebrahim Madadi - receive letters stating that the verdict was falsified and the plaintiif should be referred back to the Tehran east employment branch. The nine dismissed bus workers are Saeed Torabian, Vahab Mohammadi, Seyedreza Nematipoor, Ata Babakhani, Soltanali Shekari, Amir Takhiri, Davood Razavi, Aliakbar Pirhadi and Reza Fazeli.
14 August
Education International (EI) releases its Urgent Action Appeal in its efforts to stop the executiion of teacher unionist Farzad Kamagar. (Education International >>)
LabourStart launches its Act NOW! campaign to protest the intensified repression against labour activists in Iran including whipping sentences and executions. Farzad Kamangar is one of the cases highlighted in this campaign (LabourStart >>)
27 August
The ITF condemns the detention in Evin Prison of Iranian journalist Ali Reza Saghafi. According to information received by the ITF, Ali Reza Saghafi presented himself to the Saba Street office of the judicial authorities in Tehran on August 26 at 11:00 after being told to report to the authorities. He then effectively disappeared and his family were left without any information about where he was and what had happened to him until today.
(ITF Press Release >>)
29 August
Ali Reza Saghafi is released.
(ITF Press Release >>)
13 September
According to reports, since 25 August, Mansour Osanloo has been transferred to Rajai Shahr Prison in Karaj City rather than being moved to hospital to receive treatment for his eye problems.
15 September
SOLIDAR, a European network of labour and social organisations recognised by the ILO, announces that Mansour Osanloo and the Tehran Bus Workers' Union are to receive their Silver Rose Award. The Silver Rose Award recognises individuals and organisations whose struggle contributes greatly to social justice and equality throughout the world. (ITF News Online >>)
16 September
Gholamreza Gholamhosseini is released on bail from Evin prison after being detained for nearly three months. Bail was set at 100,000,000 Toman (US$100,000). Gholamhosseini will have to attend court again to face whatever charges are made against him. (ITF News Online >>)
22 September
More than 1,700 truck drivers are on strike in southern Iran since 7 September. Trucks, which belong to the government, are parked on the roadsides between the cities of Andimeshk and Ahvaz. The drivers are demanding the elimination of the labour brokers and better road safety.
2 October
The ITF received these messages after the announcement of the Solidar Award and the release of Gholamreza Gholamhosseini in September 2008:
"Thanks a lot for sharing this information with us. We hope and pray that the Iranian government will one day come to its real senses and accordingly release comrade Osanloo from prison ..." Read more >>
7 October
The Revolutionary Court of Tehran, Branch 14 issues sentences against five members of the Vahed Syndicate. They are convicted for acting against national security in relation to a strike on 25 December 2005 and for inciting employees of the Sherkat-e Vahed to engage in mass protest, preparing and distributing leaflets inviting the bus drivers to go on strike, leaving their lights on during the day in protest, participating in illegal gatherings and knowing about the illegal activities of Mr. Osanloo. The sentences are from 6 months to 14 months, and all are suspended for 3 years. The five members are: Abbas NajandKodaki (10 months prison term), Ata Babakhani (12 months prison term), Saeed Toraabian (14 months prison term), Yaqub Salimi (6 months prison term), and Ali ZadHossein (10 months prison term).
15 October
Mansour Osanloo and the ITF-affiliated Vahed Syndicate are awarded with the Silver Rose Award by SOLIDAR in Brussels (see 15 September for more information abour SOLIDAR and the award). Yussuf Mollaie, who is the lawyer for the union, attends the ceremony held at the European Parliament. In his speech, on behalf of the union, Mollair says "the unprecedented growth of the workers' movement and the escalation of struggles over the last three years show that Iranian workers are aware of the solid support of the international community. When we raise our fists, we know that we are not alone. This award will strengthen our determination to continue and to broaden our struggles". Representatives of the ITUC and ITF/ETF attend the event.
19 October
Members of the Vahed Syndicate meet together with other independent union representatives in support of the ITF Road Transport Action Week.
22 October
The Syndicate of Haft Tapeh Sugar Plantation in Shoush in Southern Khouzestan province in Iran holds an election for union executive board members. Despite harassment and intimidation by the management, more than 1,000 workers cast their ballots and nine members are elected as new executive board members.
28 October
A Mexican delegation composed of trade unionists and politicians, including the ITF Executive Board member Benito Bahena, visits Tehran at the invitation of the Iranian government. In the official meeting with President Ahmadinejad, the delegation raises concerns over the treatment of members of the Vahed Syndicate and demands the immediate release of Mansour Osanloo.
2 November
Mansour Osanloo is handcuffed and his feet are chained for his transportation to a medical check-up. He is reportedly beaten up and all his check-ups are cancelled until further notice.
7 November
Austrian transport union, VIDA, holds a meeting with Amnesty International to demand freedom for Mansour Osanloo upon the 10-year anniversary of the Amnesty working group in the transport unions >>
The ITF and ITUC send a joint protest letter to President Ahmadinejad protesting the sentences issued against the five members of the Vahed Syndicate on 5 October and the continued imprisonment and ill treatment of Mansour Osanloo >>
18 November
A delegation of representatives from UK unions, the TUC, ITF and Amnesty International take part in a special meeting on union repression in Iran with the All Party Parliamentary Group >>
20-21 November
Participants at the ITUC Middle East Co-ordinating Committee Meeting held in Brussels denounce the continuing persecution of the Iranian trade union movement and call for a major international trade union mobilisation in support of the release of the imprisoned trade union leaders and the securing of respect for the right of workers to establish free and independent trade unions.
26 November
According to information received by Education International (EI) Farzad Kamangar, an education worker and trade unionist, is taken from his cell in Evin prison in preparation for execution by hanging. Urgent online actions are set-up by Education International and LabourStart.
According to reports received during the day, Kamangar is not executed.
15 December
According to reports, Tayab Moaei, a member of the Free Workers' Union is released on a bail of US$10,000 after 34 days detention.
19 December
The Council of the European Union releases the "Declaration by the Presidency on behalf of the European Union on the repeated violations of human rights in Iran."
20 December
Five leaders of the Haft Tapeh Syndicate are reportedly summoned to the Islamic Revolution Court in the city of Dezful.
22 December
Plain-clothed security forces arrest Mohsen Hakimi, a member of the 'Iranian Writers' Association' and the 'Coordinating Committee to Form Workers' Organization'. At the same time an auto worker, Bijan Amiri, at Pars Khodro factory is also arrested under unkown charges. They are transferred to Section 209 of Evin Prison. Hakimi is one of the Saqez seven case in 2004.
24 December
FNV Bondgenoten launches an e-card campaign.
The British TUC sends a protest letter to the Iranian Ambassador to the UK concerning the recent arrests >>
27 December
According to reports Ebrahim Madadi is taken into police custody from the North Tehran Branch of the Employment Office by plain-clothed security personnel who possessed a court order. Madadi is believed to be in a police branch tonight and is due to appear before the judge tomorrow morning (28 December). Ebrahim Madadi is the Vice-President of the ITF-affiliated Tehran Bus Workers' Union (Vahed Syndicate). Meanwhile, two Executive Board members of the union have also been verbally summoned by the secret police.
Prior to this incident, trade unions condemned the arrest of Mohsen Hakimi, a member of the 'Iranian Writers' Association' and the 'Coordinating Committee to Form Workers' Organisations' who was detained by the secret police for unknown charges on 22 December. He is now being held in Section 209 in Evin Prison. At the same time, an auto worker, Bijan Amiri, at Pars Khodro factory was also arrested for unknown charges.
The ITF immediately releases its "Protest Statement on arrests of trade unionists in Iran" demanding the government of the Islamic Republic of Iran to release the three unionists as well as the bus union leader, Mansour Osanloo and education worker, Farzad Kamangar without delay.
Read the ITF Protest Statement >>
The British TUC also sends its protest letter to the Iranian Mission in the UK >>
La Fraternidad in Argentina sends its protest to President Ahmadinejad.
28 December
Ebrahim Madadi is summoned to the Revolutionary Court where his three and a half year sentence, which had been effectively suspended, is reinstated. He is now in Evin Prison, Section 209.
The ITF releases its Action Alert and appeals to all those who have been campaigning to promote workers' rights in Iran to support Ebrahim Madadi by sending a protest to the Iranian government. Take Action: Send a Protest Letter >>
The Austrian union VIDA sends its protest letter to President Ahmadinejad.
29 December
UGT in Spain sends its protest letter to the Iranian authorities.
TWU Local 100 (New York) sends its protest letter to President Ahmadinejad.
30 December
AIRF in India sends its protest letter to President Ahmadinejad.
The Victorian Branch of the RTBU in Australia sends its protest to President Ahmadinejad.
FNV Bondgenoten in the Netherlands releases its press statement on the situation in Iran >>
31 December
LabourStart advertises the ITF online campaign.
3 January
Vahed Syndicate holds its regular Executive Board meeting successfully.
7 January
JRU in Japan sends its protest letter to President Ahmadinejad.
9 January
JR-Rengo in Japan sends its protest letter to President Ahmadinejad.
12 January
TRANSNET in Germany sends its protest letter to the Iranian Embassy in Berlin and the German Minister of Foreign Affairs.
18 February
The ITF is backing a campaign by fellow global union federation IUF to clear five union leaders in Iran who were arrested for standing up for workers’ rights. Continue reading and TAKE ACTION >>
19 February
Mohsen Hakimi is released on bail. He was arrested by the secret police on 22 December.
28 February
Ministry of Intelligence officers raid the home of Ali Nejati, President of the Executive Committee of the Syndicate of Workers of Haft Tapeh Sugar Cane Company.
4 March
The ITUC sends a letter to President Ahmadinejad urging the Iranian government to reconsider its policy of repression towards attempts by workers and unionists to demand for basic workers’ rights following the arrests of two Haft Tapeh sugarworkers’ union members - Reza Rakhashan, communication officer and Rahim Bashag, executive board member >>
8 March
Ali Nejati is arrested by intelligence officials at his home.
9 March
The ITUC, EI, ITF and IUF send a joint request to the ILO for intervention with regards to escalating repression against trade unionists in Iran >>
13 March
The ITF sends a protest letter to President Ahmadinejad supporting the letter from the ITUC on 4 March >>
20 March
The Committee in Defence of Haft Tapeh Workers is formed in Iran by numerous labour and social activists.
6 April
Nejati’s whereabouts are only revealed after his wife visits him for a few minutes at the Intelligence Detention Centre in Ahwaz. He is being held in solitary confinement. Branch Two of the Security Prosecution Court in Shoush has filed a case against Nejati. According to his wife he is being interrogated on charges for which he was previously tried and sentenced. Nejati, along with four other members of the Executive Board of the union, was previously prosecuted on 17 and 23 February 2009. The results of their trial are yet to be officially announced.
7 April
Hundreds of workers in the Haft Tapeh Sugar Cane Company go on strike to protest non-payment of their wages for the past two months and the reduction of overtime work, the arrest and detention of Ali Nejati and for the implementation of a job classification plan. The strike ends shortly after the company management promises to pay unpaid wages within the next two days and to take the other demands of the workers into prompt consideration.
12 April
News is published that Mansour Osanloo has been taken to solitary confinement for not wearing his prison uniform to go to court. The Vahed Syndicate issues a press release denying the news and reports that Osanloo’s family have had a face to face meeting with him in Rajishaher prison.
14 April
Ali Nejati is released. Nejati, along with the four other members of the union Executive Board receive their verdicts from court. They are each sentenced to a year in prison. All are banned from union activity for a period of three years.
17 April
73 labour activists are detained by the police for several hours after visiting the family of Jalal Hosseini in Kurdistan. Hosseini is currently serving a six month prison sentence for his involvement in May Day 2004. He is a member of the Coordinating Committee to Form Workers Organizations in Iran and a member of the Saqez Seven.
23 April
Despite formal promises by the authorities, the Pay Parity Law passed in 2007 has still not been implemented. As a result, the teachers’ movement in Iran calls for industrial action from 26-28 April. The Pay Parity Law guarantees better pay and working conditions for Iranian teachers. President Ahmadinejad was promising its implementation by 22 March 2009. EI sends a protest letter to President Ahmadinejad.
25 April
Iran withdraws its candidacy for the Presidency of the 2009 ILC (International Labour Conference).
26 April
Sajad Khaksari, son of Mohamed Khaksari and Soraya Darabi, both leaders of the Iran Teacher Trade Association (TTA), is arrested during a teachers’ gathering in front of the Parliament, which was organised by teachers from Lorestan and Kermanshah who were requesting permanent contracts. He is transferred to the Baharestan Security Police Station. The Revolutionary Court, Branch Two, charges him with "disturbing the public opinion" and order $50,000.00 bail for his release >>
27 April
The ITUC, EI, ITF and IUF release a joint statement calling on the government of Iran to respect their citizens’ rights and permit free assembly on May Day. The statement also calls for an end to the repression of independent trade unions and their members in Iran, and for the immediate and unconditional release of jailed trade unionists including Mansour Osanloo, Ebrahim Madadi, Farzad Kamangar >>
28 April
Ali Saghafi, the Chair of the Center for Workers' Rights in Iran, is summoned to the Tehran Intelligence office about the May Day Organising Committee which was set-up by 11 independent labour organisations. He is told that a rally without permission from the state is illegal and that security forces and the police will block the venue, Laleh park.
ICEM endorses the joint statement released by ITUC, EI, ITF and IUF.
The 2009 May Day Organising Committee releases its May Day Declaration >>
29 April
Reza Shahabi, a member of the Vahed Syndicate, is summoned to the Intelligence services office in Tehran.
30 April
The Vahed Syndicate sends a message of solidarity to workers in Turkey on the occasion of May Day. Turkish unions have been campaigning to remove restrictions on May Day celebrations set by the government for more than 30 years >>
The ITF Solidarity Book is published in Farsi >>
1 May
More than 150 people are sent to Evin Prison for taking part in a May Day rally. Around 2,000 people gather in the Laleh Park in Tehran where hundreds of security and police had closed all entrances to the Park. Plain-clothed intelligence officers and police attack participants and severely beat and arrest many people. Tear gas is used to break up the rally. Cameras and cell phones being used to document the event are destroyed by police. Security guards from companies and factories including Sherkat-e Vahed are also present in the crowd to identify and report workers from their companies to the security forces. The 2009 May Day Organising Committee releases its statement >>
8 members of the Metal workers and Mechanics Union including Hossein Akbari, Abdollah Vatankhah, Abol Hassan Dar ol-Shafa’ie and Aziz Yari in Nematabad, south Tehran are arrested for organising a May Day rally.
The lawyer for the Haft Tapeh Sugarworkers’ Union and the Vahed Syndicate sends a letter to the ILO Director-General highlighting the serious situation for workers in Iran, in particular the constant threat of imprisonment, denial of social rights, dismissal from work, and frequent summoning and arrests of Executive board members of the two unions. The letter also appeals to the ILO to support the trade union rights of workers in Iran and to conduct the necessary proceedings to address the charges filed by the Judicial System of the Islamic Republic of Iran against individuals and all other Iranian workers.
3 May
30 of the people detained on May Day are released.
4 May
The teachers association, TTA organises gatherings in front of the Education Ministry in Tehran and Education Department Offices in the provinces to celebrate National Teachers Day. In Tehran, over 100 teachers gather for the meeting. Before the gathering in Tehran, plain-clothed and uniformed police officers patrolled the area and attempted to compel the teachers to leave. When teachers resisted, the police assaulted and beat them. Rasoul Bodaghi, a member of the TTA in Tehran, was arrested and transferred to the Revolutionary Court on 5 May. Bodaghi had been detained and sentenced to a two-year suspended prison term in 2007.
5 May
The detained workers on 1 May are moved to Evin prison. Among them are Homayon Jabaeri, Mansour HaiatGaibi and Gholamreza Khani of the Vahed Syndicate.
Ali Nejati, is terminated from his employment.
According to reports, Haft Tapeh workers have not received wages for the last two months. All executive board members are under harassment to resign from their positions as members of the union executive board.
6 May
Mansour Osanloo’s family receives a termination of employment letter for him from the Vahed company.
7 May
Rasoul Bodaghi, a member of the TTA in Tehran, is released after 26 hours detention along with two other teachers.
Sajad Khaksari is transferred to Ward 10 in Evin Prison. EI believes that Sajad’s arrest is connected to his father’s union activism. EI sends a letter to Iran President Ahamdinejad requesting the immediate and unconditional release of Sajad Khaksari and the withdrawal of all charges against him.
9 May
The 2009 May Day Organising Committee sends a statement of thanks to the ITUC, ITF, IUF and EI for their support for workers in Iran.
11 May
Indonesian ITF affiliates led by the maritime union KPI organised their protest action against the mass arrests of Iranian unionists on May Day. 100 unionists marched the streets of Jakarta and held a rally in front of the Iranian Embassy. They delivered their protest letter to the Iranian authorities.
13 May
Four women who were detained on May Day are released.
17 May
A further 11 women are released.
19 May
In response to the mass arrests on May Day and the continued detention of trade unionists, the ITUC, EI, ITF and IUF call a worldwide action day on 26 June to demand justice for Iranian workers >>
2 June
Families of the jailed unionists and labour activists gather in front of the revolutionary court in Tehran to demand the immediate release of those who were arrested on May Day. 3 participants are taken into custody.
Ali Saghafy is allowed to contact his spouse from Evin Prison for the first time since 1 May. He is suffering from back ache. Another detainee, Mohsen Saghafy is visited by his mother.
4 June
The Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) adopts a resolution at its Congress in Brisbane supporting the Global Solidarity Action Day on 26 June and calling its Government to raise the violation of workers’ rights directly with the Iranian authorities. >>
5 June
Amnesty International endorses the Action Day on 26 June.
7 June
Shapour Ehsani, Asadolah Pour Farhad, Jeveh Javaheri and Mohammad Asharafi are released. They were arrested on May Day for taking part in a rally in Tehran. Jeveh Javaheri was the last remaining female prisoner.
Three people detained on 2 June after protesting in front of the revolutionary court are also released. They are family members of Shapour Ehsani and Mohammad Asharafi.
10 June
Alireza Saghafy and Mohsen Saghafy are released on bail. They were arrested last month on 1 May in Tehran at Laleh Park.
11 June
The ITUC releases its annual survey of violations of trade union rights for 2008, reporting that in 2008 hundreds of workers in Iran have been arrested for supporting the right to organise or participating in legitimate trade union activities or labour gatherings.
15 June
All 8 members of the Metal workers and Mechanics Union are released on bail.
ICEM supports the Action Day on 26 June.
