Demonstration in Oslo- Norway from LO

the Iranian embassy in Oslo

Wednesday, February 15, 2006  time : 15:00 o'clock

Drammensveien 88 E

Iran: International Day of Trade Union Action, Wednesday 15 February 2006

Dear friends,
Iran: International Day of Trade Union Action, Wednesday 15 February 2006
Further to our message on 1 February concerning continuing repression against the Syndicate of Workers of Tehran and Suburbs Bus Company ("Sherkat-e Vahed" company), an in particular, the arrests of hundreds of participants in the strike of 28 January, we are now writing to confirm that we are requesting all affiliates and Global Union Federations to join in a International Day of Trade Union Action on Iran on Wednesday 15 February 2006. This call is issued on behalf of Global Unions (representing the Global Union Federations, the ICFTU and the TUAC-OECD).
According to our latest information, up to 1300 workers may be detained in Tehran’s Evin Prison, which is overflowing with detained union members and activists. Unconfirmed reports suggest at least some of those detained have gone on hunger strike. The Iranian government, Tehran City authorities and the Sherkat-e Vahed management are actively trying to impose an information blackout on the union’s actions. Relatives of our sources on the spot have again been intimidated and threatened not to provide information about these events.
Many trade union organisations in various part of the world have already protested to the Iranian government about these events and we would like to thank them for their action. Rallies with important union participation have already been held in front of Iran’s embassies in Canada and the United Kingdom (photos are available on request). It is however important to keep up this mobilisation and make the 15 February Day of Action a resounding success. We encourage union organisations in all countries hosting an Iranian embassy to ask for an appointment with the Ambassador and/or hold a protest rally outside the embassy’s premises. (A new list of Iran’s embassies around the world is attached to this message). If useful, you may wish to present the embassy with your own version of the model-letter included in our earlier message.
If there is no Iranian embassy in your country, you may consider visiting your Ministry/Office of Foreign Affairs to raise your concern; holding a press conference; organizing a petition, or taking any other action which you consider appropriate.
Here are some slogans which you may consider using on 15 February:
• Recognise trade union rights in Iran!
• Release Mansour Osanloo and all detained Sharket-e Vahed unionists!
• Sharket-e Vahed Management respect union rights!
• Collective agreement at Sharket-e Vahed Now!
• Pay wage arrears to Vahed’s unionists now!
In order to encourage our Iranian brothers and sisters in this dispute, we would like to use our webpage to update the worldwide events. We would appreciate it very much if you could email us your report of the protest day (along with a photograph) at your earliest convenience. Any other information related to your organisation’s action in this case will also be much appreciated.
Please inform us as soon as possible about your organisation’s intentions with respect to the 15 February Day of Action.
With best regards,
ICFTU Department of Trade Union Rights