Today, 20th November 2018, striking sugar cane workers of Haft Tapeh in Khuzestan province, Iran, on their 16th day of strike, held another protest in front of the governor’s office in Shush.
“What has Ismail Bakhshi said that is “security” [reference to accusations of actions against the government and national security]? We are all “security”! As if Mr Bakhshi has committed embezzlement [like the directors have]” said a worker activist at the assembly.
Members of the public and the workers chanted “Imprisoned worker must be freed!”
After the assembly, the striking workers and members of the public formed a massive march through the city and chanted slogans in support of the workers, unity and for the release of the imprisoned workers.
Abroad, mainly in European and Northern American cities, actions and campaigns in defence of Haft Tapeh workers and for the release of Ismail Bakhshi have been announced and are to be held.
The extent and strength of the protest has brought fear and division among the heads of the Islamic regime. Hawza Ilmyya (Sharia Seminary) of the Islamic regime in Qom, Shush, Dezful and Ahwaz, also the Combatant Clergy Association of Qom have supported the workers of Haft Tapeh. The ministry of labour has sent a team to negotiate with the protesting workers in Khuzestan.
As the workers of Haft Tapeh continue their strong protest along with members of the public, the Islamic regime was forced to free 14 of the arrested workers. However, Ismail Bakhshi, Mohamad Khanifar, Moslem Armand, Hosein Fazel and Sepideh Gholian (a student activist) are still in custody.
Farzaneh Zilabi, solicitor of the arrested Haft Tapeh workers, said that she has no information regarding the whereabouts and condition of the detainees.
The authorities have put together a “security” case of “disturbing public order” against all the workers.
According to reports, the bank accounts of some workers have been suspended, which has angered the workers even more. The pretext is that they allegedly haven’t paid their loans.
In addition to the arrests and the pressures, the authorities have stationed their armed forces at the gates of the Haft Tapeh complex and other locations in Shush to stop the protests and prevent movement. However, they have failed to hold back the workers and the people who fearlessly march and chant slogans in defence of the leaders, representatives and activists.
The workers of Haft Tapeh have announced that they will continue to strike and protest until all those who have been arrested (including the student activist) are freed, all of their unpaid wages are paid, the current owners of Haft Tapeh are dismissed and the security cases against the workers are discarded.
#WPIranNews #FightForLife #SugarCaneWorkers #WorkersCouncil #WorkersAndThePeople
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