To workers’ Organisations and Trade Unions

Subject: Following up the case of Omid Oladi’s death in Iran Khodro’s factory

Dear Fellow Workers;

 As you are aware, Iran is one of the countries where the number of victims of work-related accidents and diseases is enormously high. Although Iranian workers are deprived of independent worker organizations, they pursue the struggle to improve working conditions and to reduce the number of victims of incidence at work in various forms.

 A recent case is the death of a 22 years old worker in Iran Khodro Company (the largest vehicle manufacturer company in Iran), which is currently being pursued by a major campaign and widespread struggle in this factory.

On the25th of December 2003, Omid Oladi who was working on the night shift had a stroke while at his post and died subsequently in hospital a few days later. Omid Oladi worked under the cover of a contract company ‘Iran Ehiya Gostar’. Another young worker from this company, Peyman Razilou had also died following a stroke, about three months ago.

Following the ‘restructuring’ of the organization of the Iran Khdoro Industrial Group, the main company that claims to be the largest vehicle manufacturer in the Middle East, they began imposing an ever-increasing harsh working conditions on their employees, including three working shifts, forced overtime, increase in rate of production and reduction of break time.  They have also transferred parts of company’s operations to sub-contractors, which impose temporary contracts on workers, depriving them of their most basic rights.

workers in Iran Khodro’s “Ehiya Gostar” have started a strike and protest actions since January 12^th for their rights. These workers want an abolition of temporary contracts and demand that all workers should be covered by the Iran Khodro with overtime pay for work during holidays and night shifts. A main demand is a call for an investigation of the circumstances that led to the death of Omid Oladi and identification of those responsible for his death.

 These workers need your help, support and solidarity. Our request is that, especially with a view to respect 28^th April, the International Commemoration Day for Dead and Injured Workers, you do all you can, for example by writing protest letters to the International Labour Organisation and to the authorities of the Islamic Republic government in Iran, in support of the demands of Iran Khodro workers.   

In Solidarity,

 For more information, please contact [email protected]