Iran Ambasador refuses to meet union protest delegation

26 June 2009

The Australian Workers Union faxed a protest letter to the Islamic Republic of Iran's Ambassador to Australia, Ambassador Mahmoud Movahhedi, after he refused today to meet a union delegation.

AWU flags at Iran protest

The union members wanted to hand a letter to the Ambassador from the Australian Council of Trade Unions on behalf of the Australian union movement outlining the anger of union members at the treatment of unionists in Iran.

Many unions represented at Canbera protest

Around 100 union members and supporters from the Australian Workers' Union, the Australian Services Union, the Australian Education Union, the CFMEU, the Maritime Union of Australia and the Rail Tram and Bus Union protested outside the Embassy in Canberra today.

" The AWU supports today's global protests by union members in many countries demanding justice for Iranian workers," Paul Howes, the AWU National Secretary, said in our union's protest letter.(PDF)

Islamic Labour Councils a mockery of real union values

" The so-called Islamic Labour Councils and Workers' Houses are a mockery of worker representation - they are used largely to police the religious habits of working people in their workplaces and their homes.

" These Islamic Labour Councils are used as a discriminatory mechanism against religious minority groups, including the Baha'I and Jewish communities who are not allowed to enjoy equality of treatment in the workplace.

" The Islamic Labour Councils monopolise workplace representation, and ensure that almost all attempts at independent trade union organisation is met with repression.

ILO report shows Iran violates rights of women, children, minorities, workers and unions

" It is no wonder that last week in Geneva the International Labour Organisation (ILO) placed Iran on a short list of countries that consistently violate internationally recognised standards for the protection of women, children, religious minorities, as well as workers and trade unions. "

Paul Howes said the AWU was particularly concerned about the current reports that the heroic representatives of the AWU's brother unions in Iran,  the Food Workers' Union and the Haft Tapeh Sugar Workers' Union, are currently in jail.

The Lech Walesa of Iran imprisoned in hated torture centre

He also noted that the "Lech Walesa of Iran" - Mansour Osanloo, the President of the Tehran Bus Workers' Union has spent more years in the Evan Prison - a well known hated centre of torture in Tehran - than he has been in freedom since he formed the union in 1995.

" Their only crime has been to demand their democratic right to form a trade union and campaign for respect and dignity in their workplaces," Paul Howes wrote.

Rejoin the international community by recognising human rights

" The introduction of democracy, and the establishment of internationally-recognised human rights in your country, are a prerequisite to solving the current political and economic crises in Iran.

" The world needs to hear from the leadership of your country that Iran intends to join the international community in respecting freedom of thought and expression.

" I join the international community in asking for an end to the repression of your citizens, especially of those who speak up to defend human dignity and justice," Paul Howes said.

Read earlier AWU comments on Iran trade unionists jailed and tortured

• Global Day of Solidarity with Iranian workers on June 26

• Australian unions join world-wide protest demanding union rights for Iranian workers

Read more about the global campaign supporting Iranian trade unionists

• Justice for Iranian Workers