The Statement of the Syndicate of Workers of the Tehran and Suburbs Bus Company 

on the Support and Solidarity of Workers Internationally

With the warm greetings to all workers organized with the international federations of trade unions who supported the Syndicate of Workers of the Tehran and Suburbs Vahed Bus Company on a day of solidarity on February 15, 2006 across the world and voiced their protests at the violations of trade union rights in Iran to the authorities of the Islamic Republic of Iran. The syndicate of Tehran and Suburbs Bus Workers is striving for numerous unresolved demands, including the realization of the following three urgent matters:

 1-     The recognition of the Syndicate by the government of the Islamic Republic of Iran

2-     The unconditional freedom of all the activists of the Syndicate of Vahed Workers

3-     The recognition of a collective bargaining agreement

Following the arrests and imprisonment of workers and the union activists, the authorities of the Islamic Republic of Iran announced that these activists would only be released if they signed a pledge to stop participating in the union activities. The security authorities have said that the Islamic Republic, despite their obligations towards the international labour conventions, do not consider it wise at this time to allow the formation of trade unions in the country, and anyone deciding to participate in the union activities would be considered the opponent of the Islamic Republic System and thus will be prosecuted.

Despite the compulsory pledges, the members of the Syndicate believe that their efforts to organize the union and the continuation of their union activities have been their legitimate rights and are in accordance with ILO convention 87 and convention 98 as well as the article 26 of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Iran; accordingly, we are urging all labour unions worldwide to defend and support our rights and the syndicate of Workers of the Tehran and Suburbs Vahed Bus Company.

The realization of our trade union rights can be achievable by the recognition of these rights through the alteration of the Labour Law of the Islamic republic of Ian in accordance with ILO convention 87 and convention 98; we hereby ask the international bodies and the trade unions worldwide to call on the government and the Labour Minister of the Islamic Republic of Iran to take appropriate and urgent actions on these matters.

Long Live the Solidarity of Workers all over the World!

The Syndicate of Workers of the Tehran and Suburbs Vahed Bus Company

16/ 02/ 2006