(Public announcement)

Launch of “Committee in Defence of Haft Tapeh Workers”

Workers and freedom lovers in Iran and around world!

The workers at the Haft Tapeh Sugar Cane Company are under enormous pressure.  After months of efforts and struggle, Haft Tapeh workers set up their own independent organisation in accordance with article 87 and 98 of convention of the International labour Organisation (ILO).  On October 2008 the workers elected their representatives in a general assembly; successfully forming the Haft Tapeh Sugar Company Workers’ Syndicate.

As result of unity among the workers, their unpaid wages was paid, the monthly wages of all employees at the company was increased by $70 (70,000 toman), demand for permanent employment of many workers was put under consideration and the sale of plantation field and privatisation of factory was prevented.

However on the following months the workers’ representatives were threatened by authorities.  In March 2009 seven members of executive board of the Syndicate, Feridoun Nikoufard, Jalil Ahmadi, Nejat Dehli, Ghorban Alipour, Mohammad Heydari Mehr and Rahim Boshagh were arrested and put under pressure and at end were released on bail.  Moreover on March 8, 2009 Ali Nejati president of board of directors of The Syndicate was arrested and still is incarcerated in an unknown location.

There is talk of sacking of the workers in large numbers, privatisation of the factory and the plantation field.  Effectively, this means destruction of the whole sugar cane industry in Haft Tapeh. More plainly, the capitalist system not only has put the workers representatives under pressure but is threatening livelihood of 4000 workers and their families.

With deepening of economic crisis, job security of workers is under threat and in the near future we will face mass sacking of workers in other sectors. In such circumstances, unity among the workers is essential.  In such circumstances, supporting the Haft Tapeh means that we as workers are defending our own future.

We, the undersigned, while protesting against all these suppressions, express our whole support to the workers at Haft Tapeh and demand an end to the persecution of the executive board members of the Haft Tapeh syndicate and an immediate release of Ali Nejati the president of the board of directors of the Haft Tapeh Sugar Company Workers’ Syndicate.

By the formation of “Committee in Defence of Haft Tapeh Workers” we announce that we will actively participate in the struggle to end suppression of workers at Haft Tapeh.  We will support their demands and rights in every possible way, including reporting their activities and calling on workers and human right organisations in Iran and around world to support the workers at Haft Tapeh.

We call on all workers, worker activists, women, students, teachers and writers to join us and participate in this movement of solidarity with workers at Haft Tapeh. 

Committee in Defence of Haft Tapeh Workers

March 30, 2009

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Supportive individuals and organizations in Iran and other countries are encouraged to send their names and contact information, along with their suggestions and possible resources, to the Defence Committee’s direct email address at [email protected] .   

As of this time, hundreds of individuals and tens of organizations have endorsed this campaign and the objectives of the Committee in Defence of Haft Tapeh Workers.