Iran: Labor Children، a Devastating Social Reality

We invite you to a brief glance at the atrocious conditions of Iranian children forced to quit school and work. This is the true face of the mullahs’ rule in Iran. 

Iran state TV, 12 June 2015:

At least 15,000 labor children are roaming the streets of Tehran

Child: I am a street vendor

Reporter: Where?

Child: Tehran’s Tajrish region

Another child: I sell omens

Reporter: How old are you?

Child: 8

Reporter: How much do you earn?

Anti-labor mullahs’ regime in Iran couldn’t tolerate even a controlled Labor Day rally

 State authorities in Iran attacked members of the Bus Drivers Union who chanted their own slogans and raised placards in a demonstration staged in Tehran’s Taleghani Avenue. The placards were all rounded up and two syndicate members were arrested.

“Fair pay is our right”, “Release jailed laborers” and “Syndicates are our right,” were the slogans seen on the placards.

Report – Labor Day gatherings in various cities across Iran

Terrified of workers’ anger flaring, the anti-labor mullahs’ regime was forced into holding a completely controlled Labor Day ceremony in Tehran and direct the workers in a very short path for a march. This demonstration was held from Abu Reyhan Avenue to the Taleghani Intersection in Tehran.

Police in Sanandaj, western Iran, ban Labor Day ceremony, arrest 2 activists

On Saturday police in the western city of Sanandaj prevented any Labor Day ceremony outside the Labor House office in this city, said one individual, whereas activists and workers had prior to this used the opportunity to protest and raise the voice of these workers. However, the protesters faced a large number of police and intelligence agents at the site whom prevented their gathering from taking shape. In this rally none of the representatives of the Labor House, associated to the Iranian regime, were present at the site and the workers led and organized their own rally. The agents’ attack led to the arrest of two labor activists by the names of Lotfollah Ahmadi and Nader Rezagholi. These two individuals were transferred to the police intelligence department, and the ceremony was cancelled.

Locals commemorate Labor Day western Iran to prevent any government bans

 Labor Day commemoration in Sanandaj, western Iran

Workers and labor rights advocates in Sanandaj, western Iran, held a ceremony commemorating International Labor Day. This ceremony was held earlier this year to prevent any measures by the Iranian regime aimed at banning such gatherings.

On Friday, April 22^nd a group of workers and labor advocates in Sanandaj commemorated International Labor Day and held a ceremony on this occasion.

Iran: workers call for protests marking Int’l Labor Day

Workers in Iran

A group of deprived and oppressed workers of the Qom magnesium mine issued a statement commemorating International Labor Day and called on all workers to stage rallies on this day.

“Congratulations to all workers of our country on International Labor Day,” this statement reads in part.

Northern Iran: Group letter of communications/electricity workers to World Labor Organization

 To Mr. Guy Ryder Secretary-General of the World Labor Organization

Greetings,

We congratulate you and all workers of our country on International Labor Day, especially those working tirelessly and risking their lives on a daily basis in electricity systems and installing electricity and communications towers. These workers are separated from their families for many months of the year to make ends meet and not be left ashamed before their families.

We would like to inform you that we work in very difficult conditions, at times 13 to 15 hours a day at heights of 30 to 300 meters, while we lack any life insurance and our salaries are stolen. With a monthly salary of only $300 dollars we cannot have a decent meal. On Labor Day we are requesting that you be our voice. Currently, our country’s money is spent on terrorist projects, killing innocent people in Syria, Iraq and European countries.

Mr. Secretary-General,

Any appeasement vis-à-vis Khamenei or Rouhani is a crime against humanity. We are requesting from you to distance yourself from these criminals and condemn this anti-human and anti-labor regime for its human rights violations.

A group of communications/electricity workers in northern Iran

Iran – University students express their solidarity with deprived workers

Students of Tehran’s free University have issued a statement on the occasion of “International Workers Day” and wrote:

“We, some of the students of Tehran’s free university congratulate all the workers on the occasion of “International Workers Day”. We condemn the oppression and injustices applied to you by the Mullahs wicked government”.

We demand all the workers’ rights activists to stand to bring changes in the conditions of Iranian workers.