Haft Tapeh Sugar Cane Workers’ Struggles
Highlights and Summary Reports Since 2007
Prepared on the occasion of the Formation of the
Haft Tapeh Sugar Cane Company Workers’ Syndicate
Haft Tapeh Sugar Cane workers formally re-established their labour union called Haft Tapeh Sugar Cane Company Workers’ Syndicate (Sandikaa-ye Kargaran-e Sherkat-e Neyshekar-e Haft Tapeh) on October 22, 2008. Haft Tapeh workers’ original syndicate was established back in 1973, but the Iranian government had crushed and banned all free and independent labour organizations in Iran from early 1980s. After the formation of the Syndicate of Workers of Tehran and Suburbs Bus Company this is the second genuine workers’ union that has been formed through workers direct involvement and election of the executive board. Both elections took place without the permission of the Ministry of Labour. The Iranian government are in favour of state-sponsored Islamic labour council as opposed to autonomous workers’ organizations.
The Haft Tapeh sugar cane Company (full name: Haft Tapeh Sugar Cane Plantation and Industry Company) is an industrial complex, with about 5000 workforce, in city of Shoush in Southern Khouzestan province in Iran. For the past year and half to two years, Haft Tapeh workers have been engaged in numerous strikes, job actions and protests for non-payment of wages and a list of other demands (see the link below). Throughout this time, workers have been trying to form their union despite serious government barriers, arrests, intimidation and prosecution of workers’ leaders. In spring 2008, Haft Tapeh workers formed a committee to re-launch their organization which was banned since 19080s. Following numerous efforts. They were able to organize an election during which workers voted in favour of the Syndicate’s constitution and elected their executive board members. The following statement was posted on the Haft Tapeh Workers’ Syndicate website: (http://7tapeh.blogfa.com/post-38.aspx):
This morning, as the workers were preparing themselves for the elections, they were confronted by a notice which banned them from taking part in the elections and made the elections conditional on getting the Labour Office's permission.
The elections began at 8am and continued until noon. Next to every ballot box four observers from the plantation and the factory sections were present and, after the ballot boxes were transferred to another place, the votes were counted by the observers.
It should be mentioned that even though there was little time for voting (around four hours), as well as the obstacles that had been created and the [general] atmosphere at the factory, over 1000 workers took part in the vote.
During the voting the security forces were present but no specific clashes took place.
At these elections the following Steering Committee members were elected:
1- Fereydoon Nikoofard, 919 votes. 2- Nejat Dahli, 667. 3- Ali Nejati, 578. 4- Rahim Bes-hagh, 540. 5- Jalil Ahmadi, 398. 6- Ali Sharifi, 394. 7- Reza Rakhshan, 352. 8- Mohammad Heydarimehr, 302 . 9- Ghorban Alipoor, 284.
Through the consistent and active work of the workers the elections were conducted with complete order and fairness.
A full report and the names of the alternate members will be announced soon.
The Founding Committee of the Haft Tapeh Sugar Cane Workers' Trade Union”
Please send your solidarity greetings to Haft Tapeh workers’ newly formed union.
Sample Letter:
To Haft Tapeh Sugar Cane Company Workers’ Syndicate
I (we) am (are) writing this letter to congratulate you and all workers in Iran for your successful general election of your executive board members and other representatives for the first time in more than two decades. For your courageous efforts to form an independent labour organization despite all systemic barriers, we salute you and express our solidarity and support. We also send this message to the Iranian government’s authorities to respect workers’ rights to organize, assemble and strike, put an end to persecution of labour activists and not to interfere in the affairs of independent workers’ organizations.
In solidarity,
Name
Organization
Send your solidarity greetings directly to Haft Tapeh Workers’ Syndicate ([email protected] / http://7tapeh.blogfa.com). CC to [email protected], especially for translation from English, French, German, Spanish, and Swedish.
An Interview with Mr. Ali Nejati, a representative of Haft Tapeh (Seven Hills) Sugarcane Corporation’s workers
(The text below based on a recorded interview, was originally printed in Coordinating Committee to Help for Creation of Workers’ Organizations’ Journal “Workers’ Movement, #2.” English translation* has been edited and modified from the original colloquial Persian)
**Behzad Sohrabi: Please introduce yourself to our readers, and give us a background of your work history, and your years at Haft Tapeh Sugarcane Corporation?
Ali Nejjati: Born in 1962, due to my family’s financial needs, I’ve been working since I was 10-12 years old. When it was time to be just a kid or a teenager, I began to work. First in construction, afterwards I worked in a brick oven, and then I served in the Army. After my service, in age 22 I started to Work in Haft Tapeh Sugarcane Corporation (HTSC), and for 24 years, since 1984 I’ve been working there.
Q: What were the reasons for your protests and strikes at HTSC? What were your specific demands?
A: Our protests like all other workers; all over the world is over our living conditions. We’re not immune from such issues. Workers at SHSC are in a dire situation. Our work goes on in the heat of summer with temperature going up to 45-50 degrees Celsius or more, and for winter in Khozestan province the cold penetrates your bones, all this for minimal wages and benefits. Since June of 2006 most of our protests were over non-payment of wages. As we all know the current level of inflation in our society is so high that working class families are not able to cope with rising prices. In addition to this problem, not only we haven’t gotten any raises but also our earned wages haven’t been paid on time. Before when we used to receive our wages on time we already had financial difficulties; now that the wages haven’t been paid for 3 to 4 months workers situation has become increasingly worse. Besides these two issues: low wages and non-payment of wages, we also have other demands, concerning job classification, workers transportation, non-temporarily official employment*, and restructuring of the work force. Some fellow workers are the most experienced, and skilled workers in this field, but under the rubric of restructuring they are either retired, or bought out. Of course the remaining workers and the corporation it self were severely damaged due to lack of this skilled work force. These issues were repeatedly discussed in the media but so far we haven’t got any response from the official delegated to deal with workers issues.
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* An “official” and non-temporary work contract has become one of the major demands of practically all workers, in all trades and industries in Iran. According to various sources anywhere from %50 to %70 of the total work force in Iran are currently employed on a temporarily basis. Overwhelming majority of these workers have contracts lasting for only three months. They are let go on the 89th day, and re-hired again for another 3 months. This way the employers are not obliged to provide any of the most basic benefits, and always have an abundance easily replaceable work force.
Q: Mr. Nejjati you mentioned that the second phase of your protests began in March of 2008. But even before that there were some protests. Tell us when it began, what demands you had, and what actions you engaged in? We had heard that you took your protest to the city of Shush, and had a rally in front of the governor’s office there. Please elaborate.
A: Our protests from September of 2007 became very public, and serious, and since then we have had periodic strikes. In a period of 2 to 3 months we would have strikes for a week, or for 3 to 4 weeks in a row. Our strikes were periodic until February of that year. When they didn’t pay any New Year’s bounce, in reaction to the severe financial hardship we forced to voice our grievances. We had a protest by the Shush governor’s office, and camped out there for a few days. Our slogans were: “An affordable living is our natural right,” “We’re workers from Seven Hills, and we’re hungry.” Our protest in there went on for a few days until officials gave us promises to remedy the situation, but after a year and half nothing has happened yet.
Q: When you were protesting in front of the governor’s office in Shush, was there any response from the security forces, confronting you?
A: After our latest phase of protests on May 5, 2008, our activities became very extensive, and many workers were involved in them. Workers had a march to the center of the city in Shush, and were chanting: “ Death to Saedi.” Saedi is a member of parliament from Shush, and as far as we know he’s also the head of Agriculture Commission. This gentleman could at least reduce some of the problems for us, but so far has done nothing at all. From May 5 to 24 we had another strike. In the past 50 days workers have had many demonstrations throughout the city, and closed many roads and some of the streets leading to the factory. Security forces have repeatedly clashed with workers, but workers who are fighting over their rights have nothing to fear. They could beat us with batons, attack us with tear gas, but none of these will intimates us. Our rights are what we demand and no one could take that away from us. We were crushed, our children were physically hurt, people had their hands or heads broken, imprisoned, had to appear in court, but we never backed off from demanding our rights. And I promise you that we will not stop pursuing our goals until we achieve our demands, and our rights.
Q: An interesting aspects of your struggle has been a 50 day strike, which has had its own effects on the Iranian labor movement, could you elaborate on this valuable experience?
A: As a worker from HTSC I would like to thank all individuals and organizations, in Iran, and throughout the world that have assisted us. This strong support was one of the reasons we were able to continue our struggle on positive trend. The way we were able to incorporate the experiences of our friends, in our own struggles, at least until now has had a positive effect. At least we reached the conclusion that today’s workers should have their own free and independent organization. For the few years that we had a group called the “Islamic Council” not a single improvement was made in our working conditions. All the workers in SHSC reached the conclusion that we must have our own representatives, elected directly by ourselves. Obviously such a process does not fit with management sponsored and approved entities. Thus the workers have come to realize that today we need a free syndicate. So now we’re trying to form our own free syndicate, and elect our own representatives, so our elected representatives could deal with various local, and national officials on our behalf, and also establish more extensive ties with other labor formations inside, and outside of Iran. I’m very glad that workers in HTSC have reached the conclusion that we need to establish connections with other workers through out the world.
Q: According to the Labor law all candidates for “Islamic Councils” must be approved not only by the employers, and the security forces, but also by the Ministry of Labor as well. Needless to say such individuals are in reality representatives of the employers or the state, and not the workers. My question is what led HTSC workers to re-establish your Workers’ Syndicate?
A: In the heat of the struggle, while we were defending our rights, we came to this conclusion. We saw the need for a speedy creation of an autonomous workers organization. We had many discussions, and now we have a board composed of individuals who have a track record of fighting for workers. This board in empowered by workers to re-establish the syndicate. SHSC’s original syndicate was established back in 1973. Our own active members in this board have the approval of at least 70 to 80 percent of the workers.
Q: Before you decide to re-establish the syndicate, you had collected many signatures, and were trying to from another type of an organization, which was in line with the guidelines of Department of Labor. What happened to that?
A: The signatures you’re referring to were collected in January, and February of this year.
We had about 2000 signatures in relation with syndicate. When we went to the officials they very strongly opposed to title of syndicate. We said well if there’s a legal problem we’ll just creat a trade organization. They were strongly opposed to that as well, and many times through the security forces of the province, and Labor department we were told that under no circumstances did the SHSC workers have the right to even form their own trade organization, which is supposedly guaranteed by the code 131 of the Labour Law. Finally we came to the conclusion that a free syndicate is what we need now.
Q: At the moment you have been able to achieve a certain level of unity amongst he workers, and you yourself are a renowned representative of the workers. How is your relationship with the workers? And to what extent do the workers agree with your views and arguments concerning their demands?
A: I can’t say that workers are absolutely in agreement with their representatives, but on a general, macro level, I would say about % 60 to % 70, give or take a little. Based on workers reaction to our conduct, their very positive response to the call for strike, the talks we hold together to work through the issues, are all indication of workers relative support for us. As an example, after we had a discussion about syndicate, and although we had difficulties in that day, we were still able to gather 400-500 signatures, accompanied with their employee numbers. So at least by this standard we represent 60 to 70 percent of the work force, which is the relative majority of the workers, and we are very happy about this. Now it’s possible that some other workers might not accept us, naturally there is always some opposition. Right now we have about 4000 to 5000 workers, some have a direct interest in these affairs, some have their own specific issues, some can’t be directly connected to us, or join us. We all have different problems. So I hope as a genuine representative of the workers, and as a labor activist, to work towards fulfilling our goals, and recovering our wages, and our rights, as soon as possible, while relying on the backing of our fellow workers.
Q: What was very interesting for me was how you were able to mobilize 4000 to 5000 workers in this unbearable heat of Khozestan province, which a lot of people can not handle. Although you lacked any facilities for a meeting place, and no permission from the authorities to assemble, but since you were determined to have workers elect their own representatives, you were able to gather their signatures and thump prints. Could you elaborate on this process?
A: Though we faced many obstacles as far as logistics and such, but the kind of response we have consistently encountered from our fellow-workers through our protests and strike, the type of ethics and honesty in action, and how we’ve been able to utilize such experiences, has enabled us to become some kind of a model for other struggles. Of course personally I’m really not comfortable to call ourselves any kind of a model, because we have got a long way to go yet. We are simply just workers, but workers who haven’t backed down and have resisted all types of obstacles and difficulties, and have arrived at the conclusion that it’s only through struggle that we could achieve our legitimate demands.
Q: The comments about your struggle were not intended as some type of over-praise. What’s been very evident in you struggle at HTSC for the past few years is the kind of daily organizing undertaken, which has produced its results. My next question concerns the relationship amongst the representatives themselves, how do you coordinate your tasks? Are you content with the existing coordination? If there’s an issue how do you resolve it?
A: Although we’ve been working together for a relatively short period, but because we trust each other, and believe in our goals we’ve been able to maintain a satisfactory level of communication amongst ourselves.
Q: Based on the current government policies in Iran some factories, including HTSC are being restructured, or they’re in the process of ceasing their operations. What do you and other workers at HTSC think about this? What are the observations you would like to share with other workers through out Iran who find themselves at this predicament?
A: As we mentioned earlier this restructuring is a very precise and calculated program. It’s abundantly clear for us that the problems at HTSC are directly related to the central government’s “sugar mafia,” and the specific individuals involved in it. A corporation that was able to producing 100,000 tons of sugar just a few years ago, and had about 70 other affiliate corporations, like Amir Kabir and such, is today on the verge of bankruptcy, due to government’s policies regarding sugar imports, and exports. HTSC is now in such a dire situation that although it desperately needs skilled workers, it’s still restructuring its work force. All of this while it hasn’t paid our wages for 5 months now. As a worker I have this message for all other fellow-workers in Sugarcane industry: workers at Karoon sugarcane, Mian Ab sugarcane, or at Amir Kabir Sugarcane, or other auxiliary projects in Abadan or Khoramshahr, sooner or later, they all will be facing the same problems we’re facing here. As a worker I respectfully ask all other workers in our industry to support us, the way all other labor organizations in Iran such as bus drivers syndicate, or Kian Tire have supported us.
Q: In these few days that I’ve been a guest amongst you, I have heard some stories that like workers purchasing their daily bread on credit, with workers writing their names in the baker’s ledger, hoping to pay back as soon as their 5 months delayed wages are paid. I’ve also heard they’re selling their meager home furniture. Are these stories true, and if yes could you elaborate?
A: Yes, I’m glad that you mentioned this issue, which has become a central problem for us at HTSC. We workers, of course not just us in here but all over Iran, are having a very hard time coping with inflation that’s rampant in our country. Everyone is fully aware of this problem except the officials, who are sitting on treasures, on money from oil, our national wealth, squandering, and stealing all that, having the time of their lives. Of course they won’t know anything about our problems. Even when we were receiving our wages on time we had a hard time dealing with inflation, and now not being paid for 5 months, we have to sell our carpets. Officials keep talking about the dispossessed, but they’re not fooling anyone except themselves. Our only solution is to unite, and establish our own independent, autonomous labor organizations in all cities and on a national level.
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Workers of Haft Tapeh Sugar Cane Company
- The Founding Committee of the Syndicate of Workers of Haft Tapeh Sugar Cane Company has called on all workers who would like to nominate themselves for Board of Directors to register before 87/05/18. This committee is formed by workers of Haft Tapeh Sugar Cane Company which employs more than five thousand workers. Within the last few days, some workers of the Haft Tapeh Sugar Cane Company went on strike and gathered before the management office. They insisted if they didn’t get positive answer, more workers would be joining them and the management should expect another round of strikes. During last round of strikes, workers got back three months of their unpaid wages. The company has been transferred to a new management following a series of strikes, and workers are expecting their representatives’ views would be considered. _________________________________________________________________
Haft Tapeh Workers Ended Strike!
June 29, 2008- Workers of Hafttapeh Sugar Cane Company ended their strike after more
than 40 days. They agreed to stop their strike for 15 days after management promised to
address their demands including the payment of their three months overdue wages.
Throughout the strike, workers along with their families had blocked the transit road
of Ahvaz- Andimeshk to express their protest to the unpaid wages and other demands.
Security forces surrounded them with the fire trucks to control them. Their demands
were: Payment of three months unpaid wages, right to organize an independent
syndicate, ending the legal proceedings against the workers, release of arrested workers
and the dropping of all charges against them and other labour activists; the sacking of the
general manger of the company, a mullah called Yaghoob Shafiee, and the whole
management committee; the sacking company's security chief. The city of Shoosh
Security Forces arrested four worker activists. Their names are: Nejat Dehli, Ahmad Raji,
Iraj Abedini and Mohammad Leissi. (June 18)
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Iran: 5,000 sugar cane workers on strike!
Around 5,000 workers at Haft–Tapeh sugar cane Company in the Khuzestan province of Iran have been on strike since 5 May 2008. The strike action has brought the whole company to a standstill. Haft-Tapeh workers have continued their strike action since then, despite brutal attacks by the security and Special Forces of Iran's Islamist regime.
On 25 May 2008, workers and their families gathered in a peaceful protest in front of the Governor's Office in city of Shoosh. The security forces tried to disperse the gathering by using violence against the crowd.
The following day protests continued. Marching through the streets in their thousands, the crowd were chanting slogans such as: “Shame on the security forces, shame”; “monthly pay is our absolute right”; “incompetent Governor, resign, resign”; and “the workers are prepared to die than accept humiliation”
The security forces and special guard then brutally attacked the protesters, as a result of which many were injured and around ten people were arrested and taken to a secret location.
Since those brutal attacks, workers have returned to the factory and continued their strike.
The demand of Haft-Tapeh sugar cane workers are as follows:
- Release of arrested workers and the dropping of all charges against theme and other labour activists;
- The setting up of an independent syndicate (trade union);
- Payment of three months unpaid wages;
- The sacking of the general manger of the company, a mullah called Yaghoob Shafiee, and the whole management committee;
- The sacking company's security chief, Zibdari;
- An end to legal proceedings against the workers.
Haft-Tapeh workers have called on labour organisations, trade unions, human right organisations to support their rights and demands.
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- According to various sources from Iran including Human Rights Activists, Dastranj news, etc. Haft Tapeh Sugar Cane Company workers continued their strike actions. More than 3000 workers gathered outside the management office on May 22, 2008. On May 21st, about 26 workers were arrested by security forces but after some interrogations and warnings were released. The City of Shoush has reportedly been occupied by hundred of security and Special Forces to control any further street protests. Haft Tapeh Sugar Cane workers have recently formed a committee for the formation of their syndicate. Many of their activists and leaders have been facing persecution and prosecution. On May 20, 2008, five Haft Tapeh workers and a labour-friendly reporter were put on trial for “ propagating against the system and agitating Haft Tapeh workers to go on strike”. The names of accused workers are Fereydoon Nikoufard, Ali Nejati, Jalil Ahmadi, Mohammad Heydari Mehr and Ramazan Alipour. The accused reporter is Abolfazl Abedini, who is also in charge of the labour section of Human Rights Activists in Iran. These activists appeared in Dezfoul Revolutionary court on May 20, 2008.
- Background information: Haft Tapeh workers latest protests and strike actions started on May 5th and have continued ceaselessly since then. More than 2000 workers of Haftapeh Sugar Cane Company gathered before the factory director’s office on May 5th. They protested the fact that their demands were not met and promises were not held. The strike file, the last three months of unpaid wages, ignoring workers’ well-being, sugar import and negligence towards the future sugar industries in Khoozestan province were issues of concern. The workers demanded also the dismissal of Yaghoob Shafiei, the factory’s CEO, Zeibdari, the head of Security along with the other executive members of the factory. According to the workers, Zeibdari plays a key role in suppression, making charges against workers and spying on them. The strike took place while five activists and one journalist were summoned to Enghelab Islami Court (Islamic Revolution's Court) in Dezfool city.
- Following that, in another strike action, 3000 workers assembled to proclaim their demands despite the heavy security. The number of strikers was continuously growing. On the sixth day of strike, there were 5000 participants; almost the whole factory was in strike. Workers also gathered before the Governor’s Office in the city of Shoosh. The next day, they marched the streets in a protest rally; the number reached 1500. Security forces attached workers and their families which caused many injuries. Workers also called for solidarity of all workers and in particular that of Iran National Oil Company workers. Haft Tapeh Workers’ strike actions since May 5th still continues.
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Statement by the workers of Haft Tapeh Sugar Cane Company
The workers of Haft Tapeh Sugar Cane Company have issued a statement on January 21, 2008 in which they reported that following their successful strike and protest actions they were able to achieve some of their basic demands; thus they decided to form their own independent organization through creating a founding committee and then organizing a general assembly of workers; principally because workers did not accept the government-sponsored Islamic labour council and the Workers’ House. However, these workers report that the government authorities have been dealing with them since then in a very repressive manner. Workers contacted the Ministry of Labour to register their labour organization; then they were referred to the Labour Office in the city of Shoush where they were treated harshly by this office and by the Intelligence Ministry’s agents. Some of these workers have been harassed and threatened by the intelligent forces and the company’s security. These fellow workers have vowed that they will continue their struggles to achieve their rightful demands and to form an independent labour organization. They are calling on other workers and labour organizations to condemn the government forces’ intimidations and oppressive behaviours and to support Haft Tapeh workers and their struggles.
Workers at the state-owned Haft Tapeh Sugar Cane Company were on strike for about ten times in less than one year in 2007 for their unpaid wages and other demands. Each time they faced repression by security forces as well as empty promises by the company’s management. At times, they were successful in getting some of their unpaid wages and forcing management to accept some of their demands; however, they have been under increasing threats and persecution in recent months by the security forces and the intelligence ministry. Workers have openly announced that they are trying to form their independent organization, which has been violently opposed by the government authorities. There are over 5000 employees at the Haft Tapeh Sugar cane Company.
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Highlights and News-Workers’ Struggles in Iran- November 12, 2007
Updates on Arrested Haft Tapeh Workers
According to the Collaborative Council of Labour Organizations and Activists and the Committee in Defense of Mahmud Salehi, Ghorban (Ramazan) Alipour and Mohammad Heydari Mehr, two representatives of the workers of Haft Tapeh Sugar Cane Company, who were arrested and detained last week, have now been taken to court. They have been charged with “acting against national security”, “acting against the establishment” and “conducting interviews with foreign radios and media”. As of November 12, 2007 these two activists were still incarcerated because they were not able to afford 50 million toman (about $50,000) bail which has been set for their temporary release. Workers in the factory have been opposing any conditional discharges and demand the immediate and unconditional release of their colleagues. Ghorban Alipour was kidnapped by the intelligent forces and later incarcerated on November 5, 2007 while Mr. Heydari Mehr was summoned to the office of the intelligence Ministry on November 7, 2007 and was subsequently arrested. On November 7th, morning shift workers gathered in the factory yard to protest the arrest of their representative. Another worker representative, Feridoun Nikoufard, was arrested on October 20, 2007 and after the threats of strike by workers was released.
As of November 12, 2007 these two labour activists were still incarcerated because they were not able to afford 50 million toman (about $50,000) bail which has been set for their temporary release. Workers in the factory have been opposing any conditional discharges and demand the immediate and unconditional release of their colleagues. According to reports by human rights activists in Iran some interrogators have been transferred to the southern city of Shoush from Tehran to conduct corrective interrogations. These reports indicate that the above two workers have been under interrogation and physical and emotional torture to force them admit wrongdoing and sign guilty statements.
Workers at the state-owned Haft Tapeh Sugar Cane Company have been on strike for about ten times in less than one year for their unpaid wages and other demands. Each time they have faced repression by security forces as well as empty promises by the company’s management. At times, they were successful in getting some of their unpaid wages and forcing management to accept some of their demands; however, they have been under increasing threats and persecution in recent weeks by the security forces and the intelligence ministry. Workers have openly announced that they are trying to form their independent syndicate, which has been being violently opposed by the government authorities. No syndicate has yet been formed; thus, workers elect representatives and delegate to negotiate and speak on their behalf. The above arrested workers are amongst some of these representatives. There are over 5000 employees at the Haft Tapeh Sugar cane Company.
- Thousands of Workers of Haft Tapeh Sugar Cane Company temporarily stopped their Strike action! Threats, arrests and intimidations did not work; employer had to yield to some of the workers’ demands. Workers have vowed to resume strike actions if their remaining demands are not met.
Workers of Haft Tapeh Sugar Cane Company
went on strike since September 29, 2007. They have temporarily stopped their
strike and sit-ins since October 11, 2007after most of their unpaid wages were
paid by the employer. The Company is a state-owned enterprise. About 5000
employees work for this company. Many others also rely heavily on the existence
of this company in city of Shoush in the Khuzestan province for their
livelihood. These workers faced severe repression by security forces throughout
their strike but they did not retreat from their demands and continued to
protest and raised public awareness. Numerous arrests, intimidation and violent
attacks on strikers took place during the strike. Employees of this company
have had numerous demands, among them are immediate payment of all unpaid wages
and the right to organize as well as permanent position for workers on
temporary contracts, company housing, job classification, enforcement of
various labour standards including health an safety and so on. Workers have
been opposing thee existence of the Islamic labour council in the company,
which are affiliated with the government-sponsored Workers’ House. These
councils are the only legal entities in workplaces but they are not there to
represent workers’ interest because their mandate is to work with employers and
government. They are in fact the eyes and ears of employers and government, in
this case the company is owned by the government. Workers in Haft Tapeh have
been demanding the formation of their independent unions. Following is one of
the public statements issued by striking workers of the Haft Tapeh sugar cane
Company to trade unions in the world, ILO and human rights organizations
”We inform you that we, the workers of Haft Tapeh sugar cane Company of
Khuzestan (southern of Iran) have been on strike 16 times for two years to
dispute the unjust policy of the government with respect to this industry and
nonpayment of our wages. But each time our employers and the government made us
promises without following our claims. We sent a delegation to the governor of
Shoush which met with the governor in order to inform him of our problems and
the dissatisfaction of worker with the company and working conditions. The
delegation informed him that by September 29, 2007 at 8 a.m. in the morning,
the government and the company did not give our demands, we will carry out a
sit-in front of the office of the governor.
That was the case, the ultimatum was not respected and we began our sit-in
front of the office of the governor from the 29/09/07 and that made 4 days.
The workers decided to continue their action until arriving at a solution which
will answer their demands; with knowing to find a solution for the debts of the
company in order to prevent that from going bankrupt and the payment of the delayed
wages.
The company has produced sugar for 47 years and for the past 2 years because of
an unjust policy of government in the field, it has been threatened with
bankruptcy and the company is involved in debt of 85000000 euros. The
management also decided to reduce the debt of the company by selling the
agricultural land of the company, the factory of the food of the animals, the
apparatuses of the company and to reduce to 3000 thousand the number of paid
(currently they are 5000). Because the Haft Tapeh Sugar Cane Company is a state
enterprise, the government can cancel very well the debts of the company like
other state enterprises such as the Insurance company, water and electricity,
gas and the taxes. But the policy of the government is influenced by the Mafia
of sugar. The government, at the request of this gangster band, had already
reduced before the tax of importation of sugar by the private sector of 140% to
4%!
The government, via the governor of Shoush, threatens us that if we continue
our action, it will send the police force to us!
We thus ask ILO and human rights organizations to require our government, due
to its membership with the ILO, to pay our delayed wages and to send a
delegation, particularly from the ILO, in order to solve the problems
enumerated above and to respect the international laws in force. If the ILO
does not follow up on this, given our government’s callousness, the job
security of 5000 workers will be threatened.
We also inform that the government does not give us the right to create our
trade union. It’s about one year that we are following up on our demands
without having any true representatives. We can better express our rights with
a trade-union organization, and to have an official representative helps to
following our claims. That also makes it more possible for the ILO to better
support us. Some workers who are not officially the representatives of the
workers but have been working on the issues of workers of the company face
discrimination and 4 of them are threatened with dismissal and arrests and
detention. The authorities want to impose on us an environment of fear and
terror so that we desist from following our claims.
In the end, we thank all labour and human rights organizations, and the ILO, in
advance for your support.
Workers of the Haft Tapeh Sugar Cane Company-Khuzestan”
_____________________________________________________________ For more information, contact [email protected]
or [email protected]
International Alliance in Support of Workers in Iran (IASWI)
Background Information: www.workers-iran.org