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Let us Form Workers' Organization with Our Own Power!
Workers!
One of the most evident, basic, well-known and inalienable rights of the workers in today's world is their right to form any kind of workers' organizations. In today's world, workers form their organizations without governments' permissions and govenments - based on the international standards - are only obligated to register them: and even if they are not registered, these organizations can be formed and be active.
The Iranian government, although having accepted Conventions 87 and 98 of the International Labour Office(ILO), has not only refused to meet the commitments mentioned in these conventions but, on the contrary, has deployed all its front line forces and strenghths against the workers demands.
Nowdays in this part of the world people are deprived of their right to have independent and all-embracing organizations; they are currently on trial for celebrating May Day, in Khatoon Abad they are murdered for demanding jobs and job security; in order to survive they have to accept a salary based on the standards from 20 years ago; in order to have even a short term job they are forced to unconditionally sign a blank contract; the double-exploitation of women continues where they earn one-third of the lowest amount approved by the government; and the children - instead of being educated and having a childhood - are being enslaved, in some cased clandestinely, in the underground workshops.
Workers!
To be emancipated from all this misery, poverty, wretchedness and lack of protection we must - above all - be organized. But we do not petition any government, ministry or public instituation for organization. We do have the right to be organized. We must form our organization and then ask the government to officially recognize it. To form workers' organizations does not require any governments' permissions, and this is so self-evident and obvious that it is stipulated in the Convention 87 of the ILO concerning the freedom of association and, ironically, this is even approved by the Iranian government. Therefore, the ILO who has itself compiled the conventions and had the governments sign them must force the Iranian government to put an end to the suppression of the workers' activities and activists instead of conceding to the government. And the government of the Islamic Republic of Iran must assure the security of the working class activists.
And you the honorable of our common class!
Based on common class interests,all the honorable people around the world are to shoulder the responsibility of supporting the workers in Iran. The workers' very existence in Iran is lost due to an incessant assault by the capitalist system. We ask you: workers, pioneers, activists, associations, syndicates, organizations and supporters of the working class to support and help us.
Coordinating Committee to Form Workers' Organization
Bahram Dezeki (Welder), Mohsen Hakimi (Translator), Behrooz Khabbaz (Metalworker),Mahmood Salehi (Baker)
www.komiteyehamahangi.com
komiteye_hamahangi@yahoo.com28/04/2005
CC:
Human Rights Watch (HRW)
International Confederation of Free Trade Unions (ICFTU)
International Labour Office (ILO)
(please visit our new website at: http://www.komitteyehamahangi.com/ and also contact us by: komite.hamahangi@gmail.com )
We the following signatories confirm the above proclamation and form workers' organization with our own power:
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