Statement: To all domestic and international labour and human rights organisations
We have been on an all-out strike for 20 days. In this third stage of our strike, the police and security forces have attacked the workers' gatherings and have arrested them many times. Now the factory is shutdown and the workers have not been paid for over three months. Instead they have been beaten and assaulted many times.
During the past eight months we have made our demands known to the authorities and officials. The authorities, from the provincial to the national level, are aware of our demands and the problems facing this [sugar] industrial complex. It has now been proven to us that no one is going to respond to us.
We have said many times that we have the ability to run the factory and to continue production. But they prevent us from forming our trade union or labour organisation. Now our families are hungry and around 4000 workers and personnel of the factory have been left in suspense and with no certainty.
Under these conditions we expect all domestic and international labour and human rights organisations to the support and follow up our demands.
Committee
for re-launching
the Haft Tapeh Sugar Cane Company's trade union
[Translated by Iranian Workers' Solidarity Network]
For further news on Haft Tapeh and how you can help see the special section.
See also:
- Iran: Attack and arrest of twelve Haft Tapeh Sugar Cane workers by IWSN (May 27, 2008)
- Iran: Martial law in Shush city and widespread arrest of Haft Tapeh Sugar Cane workers by IWSN (May 21, 2008)
- [Video] Iran: Demonstration by Haft Tapeh Sugar Cane workers in Shush by IWSN (May 21, 2008)
- Iran: Widespread support for Haft Tapeh Sugar Cane workers' protests from youth and shopkeepers by IWSN (May 19, 2008)
- Iran: Haft Tapeh Sugar Cane workers go on all-out strike by IWSN (May 12, 2008)
- Iran: Over 3000 workers go on strike in Haft Tapeh! by IWSN (May 8, 2008)
- Iran: Five Haft Tapeh Sugar Cane Company workers to appear in court by IWSN (May 6, 2008)