Iranian Workers News 15^th Dec 2006

-According to ILNA , strike by 800 workers in ‘Iran Sadra ‘ factory was continuing on the 2^nd of Dec 2006. The local governor’s office in Bushehr has refused to intervene and the workers’ protest against non payment of wages continues.

-According to reports published on the 2^nd Dec, workers from ‘Ghove Pars’ factory in Alborz industrial town, protested Tuesday 12^th Dec in front of the local provincial offices demanding that  these officials deal with their demands. The production line in this factory was shut down in February 2005 and workers in this plant have not been paid for 5months. 72 employees and around 120 retired workers face uncertainty , while officials fail to deal with their demands. The workers’ main demand is payment of unpaid wages and clarification of what will happen to production in this factory.

-250 workers from ‘Farsh Pars Ghazvin’  (a carpet factory) gathered on the 9^th of December, in front of the local governor’s office in protest at the closure of their factory and the fact that they have not received any wages for over 4 months.

–Tens of protesting workers from ‘Poushineh Baft’ Ghazvin blocked all roads  to Alborz industrial town and demanding that a response to their demands. Months ago, following the privatisation of this plant,  problems regarding payment of wages started and 700 workers face an uncertain future. The workers have protested  on their own or with their families , they have blocked main roads, gathered in protests to raise their voice against the situation in their factory , however none in authority seems to be listening to their demands. Three of the protesting workers have been arrested .

- A protest meeting by “Yassouj’ municipal workers was disrupted by military/security forces and tens of workers who were demonstrating outside municipal offices got involved in scuffles with the security forces. These workers’ jobs are covered by two construction  firms,  they intended to enter the Municipal offices in protests at non payment of their wages for over 7 months when they were confronted by the military/security forces. A number of workers were subsequently arrested.

Iranian Workers News 2006-12-15

Lawyers acting for imprisoned Labour leader Mansour Ossanlou issued a statement on the 10^th of Dec 2006 protesting at his continued detention. In this statement the lawyers confirm that they have been denied access to the dossier accusing their client , adding that they were shocked and anxious of  claims made  by the judicial spokesman. The lawyers confirmed that their client is under the impression that his ‘crime’ is organising a syndicate and contacting international workers organisations. While as his lawyers they have no idea why he is kept in prison.

- Mansour Ossanlou ‘s wife told reporters that an additional bail of 30 million tomans (30,000 dollars ) has been announced , this is in addition to the original bail of 150miilion tomans (150,000 dollars) set in August.