CTU backs campaign to free Iranian unionist

The Council of Trade Unions has backed the campaign by the International Transport Workers Federation (ITF) to free an Iranian unionist and bus driver jailed for standing up for worker and union rights.

“Mansour Osanloo was sentenced to 5 years jail for standing up for basic worker rights in Iran. His case is just one example of a repressive approach to union activity in Iran, and it is an unacceptable breach of human rights for worker representatives to be intimidated and detained in this way,” CTU president Helen Kelly said.

“Unions are the foundation of civil society and must be free to organise for better conditions at work and speak up for the rights of working people, and we condemn the treatment of worker representatives by the Iranian government.”

“We express our solidarity with Mr Osanloo and the workers of Iran, and join with the ITF in calling for his release, and for an independent trade union movement in Iran.”

Unionists rallied outside the Iranian Embassy in Wellington this afternoon, joining an International Day of Action lead by the ITF.