ASU to participate in Global Day of Action in solidarity with Iranian and Colombian unionists on 6 March

4 March 2008

By the ASU - a union partner in international solidarity As part of the ASU commitment to ITF International Railway Safety Day, we will be joining with International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF) and ACTU affiliates in supporting two critical issues this week. Trade unions internationally are calling for a global day of action on March 6 to highlight the situation of detained union leaders in Iran, to demand their release and to highlight human rights abuses against the people of Colombia. Australian unionists, including ASU members, will be participating in a series of events around the country. The ASU urges all members and supporters of democratic rights to join other unionists around the world. Your voices are needed.

Support the oppressed Iranian unionists, click image below. .

Please encourage everyone you know to take part and add your voice in solidarity.

The international labour website LabourStart has been running an online campaign to assist the Iranian unionists by lobbying their Government.

The ASU has previously promoted this international campaign. You can support the oppressed Iranian unionists here.

As reported by a LaborNet news item in February, the ASU was the top union generating support for the Iranian unionists Who backs Iranian union camp'n?. Let's keep it going!

The ITF international action day website can be found here:

http://www.itfglobal.org/campaigns/osanloo-action.cfm. Visit the website for range of extensive resources and information about the issues of concern.

For further information on actions around the country click here.

Summary of issues of concern in Iran and Colombia

Iran

Oppression of trade unionists and of the independent workers' movement in Iran is escalating. 6 March falls two weeks prior to the Iranian New Year and shortly before the national parliamentary elections.

Mansour Osanloo, President of the Trade Union of Bus Drivers of Tehran and Suburbs (Syndika Sherkat-e Vahed), was detained last July. He was sentenced to prison for 5 years.

He now risks the loss of his eyesight as a result of beatings after his arrest. Other Iranian unionists have been abused by the Iranian security forces. Union rallies around the world are demanding the Iranian authorities respond by respecting trade union rights and immediately releasing the imprisoned unionists.

Others include Mahmoud Salehi, former President of the Saqez Baker Workers' Association and several teacher unionists.

Colombia

The assassination and disappearances of trade unionists and other human rights defenders in Colombia by paramilitary groups is a daily reality.

The Colombian National Movement for Victims of the State declared March 6 an International Day of Tribute for the Victims of Human Rights Abuses.

CUT, one of the Colombian trade union federations and others around the world are calling for the Colombian Government to take action immediate against the kidnappings, assassinations and impunity and in favour of the humanitarian exchange and genuine social dialogue between the unions, the employers and the Government.