150 bus drivers assemble outside the Labour Ministry 24/02/2006 Around 150 bus drivers of the Tehran and Suburbs Bus Company (Sherkat e Vahed) today, Wednesday 22 February, gathered outside the offices of the Labour Ministry in East Tehran, demanding to return to their jobs. Hundreds of bus workers have been laid off following a strike action on 28 January in which up to 1,300 workers were arrested. Most of those detained have now been released, following worldwide protests by trade unions and human rights organisations, culminating in a historic world day of trade union action on Iran on Wednesday 15 February. However, at least six union activists, including union leader Mansoor Ossanlou, remain in prison. Yesterday for the first time the judge handling the cases of the detained workers allowed the families of Ya’ghoub Salimi, Ebrahim Nozari Gohari and Mansoor Hayat Gheibi to visit them in Evin Prison. The bus workers and their families have vowed to continue with their protest until the release of their jailed colleagues, reinstatement of all laid-off workers, recognition of their union and the meeting of their other demands. The 17,000 employees of the state-owned Vahed bus company have been battling the management and authorities since last year for the recognition of their union and introduction of collective bargaining. Last May a meeting of the union was viciously attacked by members of the state-set up “Workers’ House” and “Islamic Council of Labour”, resulting in many injuries. The government is refusing to recognise the workers’ union and meet their demands. The union leader, Mansoor Ossanlou, has been in prison since 22 December, without access to lawyers or family. Unions from around the world, Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have all condemned the arrests. On Wednesday 15 February world trade unions representing millions of workers took part in a historic world day of action in support of the bus workers in Tehran. The action, called by ICFTU, ITF and other global union federations, included rallies outside Iranian embassies around the world and submission of letters of protest to Iranian officials.