Change for Equality

Women Human Rights Defenders Around World Demand Release of Bahareh Hedayat Send Message of Solidarity

Sadmin — 2014-03-17T15:32:30Z

Change for Equality: As part of the Campaign, "Ten Days with Bahareh Hedayat" which intends to bring attention to the unlawful imprisonment of this Iranian woman human rights defender who is serving a 10 year prison sentence since December 2009 as a result of her human rights activities, several human rights sent messages of solidarity and urged the Iranian judiciary to take steps to release Hedayat immediately and unconditionally. You can view these messages on facebook:

Amal from Egypt, Woman Human Rights Defender and Coordinator of MENA Region Woman Human Rights Defender Network

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z_TtFNH34LA

Reyhaneh Hashmi, Woman Human Rights Defender in Pakistan

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9MDeEsdiTR4

Binalakshmi Nepram, India

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J7J0E6k9qn0

160 Human Rights Defenders Demand Release of Imprisoned Iranian WHRDs, Bahareh Hedayat and Maryam Shafiepour

Sadmin — 2014-03-17T15:17:10Z

Change for Equality: In a statement addressed to the Head of the Iranian Judiciary, Mr. Sadegh Amoli Larijani, 160 human rights activists from around the world have demanded the release of imprisoned woman human rights defenders Bahareh Hedayat and Maryam Shafiepour. This letter which was written in support of the Campaign “Ten Days with Bahareh Hedayat,” points out the obligations of the Iranian authorities in line with the UN General Assembly Resolution on Woman Human Rights Defenders, based on which WHRDs must not be persecuted because of their work in defense of human rights and that their work should be recognized as legitimate and legal measures to support and protect them should be adopted. Those signing the petition represented countries as diverse as Afghanistan, Kurdistan, Iraq, Libya, Egypt, Turkey, Japan, The Phillipinnes, Thialand, India, Pakistan, Senegal, Cambodia, Congo, South Africa, Norway, Lebanon, the UK, Canada, the USA and many more. Besides these individuals a number of organizaitons too have signed the letter, and their support of the demand to free these two Iranian WHRDs will be announced in the days to come through the Free Bahareh page on Facebook. The text of the letter appears below along with pictures of the signed statement. Please note that 24 out of 160 persons signed the statement via internet and their names have been added. The rest of the signatories signed the statement personally.

Call on Iranian Authorities to Release and Protect Women Human Rights Defenders

Bahareh Hedayat and Maryam Shafiepour

The signatories of this statement call on the Iranian Judiciary to immediately and unconditionally release imprisoned woman human rights defenders Bahareh Hedayat serving a 10 year prison sentence in relation to her student and women's rights activities and Maryam Shafiepour, who was sentenced to 7 years in relation to her student rights activities on March 2, 2014. These two activists are among at least 14 women in the women's political prisoners ward at Tehran's Evin Prison.

In line with the General Assembly Resolution on Women Human Rights Defenders, we remind the Iranian government of its obligations to ensure that the protection of human rights are not criminalized or met with limitation in violation of their obligations and commitments under international human rights law and that women human rights defenders are not prevented from enjoying universal human rights owing to their work.

We call on Mr. Sadegh Amoli Larijani, the head of the Judiciary, to take immediate steps to release Hedayat and other political prisoners based on recent amendments to Iran's penal code. Under article 134, a person convicted of multiple charges may only receive the maximum penalty for their most serious charge, instead of a compounded sentence based on each individual charge. Article 134 also allows the judiciary to free Hedayat after she has served half her sentence.

We further call on the head of the judiciary Mr. Sadegh Amoli Larijani, to take immediate steps to ensure that Iran's judiciary release Shafiepour and dismiss the charges against her in appeals.

In closing we urge the Iranian authorities to adopt legislation in line with international law and guarantees, which protects and facilitates the work of women human rights defenders in Iran.

Background:

Bahareh Hedayat, a women's and students' rights defender, was sentenced in May 2010 to 10 years in prison in relation to her peaceful activities. Since her arrest in 2009, she has been denied adequet medical treatment outside of prison for serious gynecological problems. The lack of gynecological services in prison and the denial of such treatment outside jail could amount to gender-based discrimination, and Hedyat's ability to have children. Hedayat, 32, is the first secretary of the Women's Commission of the Office to Foster Unity (Tahkim-e Vahdat), one of the country's largest student groups, which has been banned since 2009, and the first – and only – woman elected to its central committee. Authorities arrested her on December 30, 2009, and eventually charged her with various national security crimes, including “propaganda against the system,” “disturbing public order,” “participating in illegal gatherings,” “insulting the Supreme Leader,” and “insulting the president.” An appeals court upheld the sentence in July 2010. Hedayat is serving an additional two years based on a previous suspended sentence in connection with a public demonstration she attended in 2006 demanding equal rights for women. She is a founding member of the award winning One Million Signatures Campaign, a grass-roots campaign aimed at overturning laws that discriminate against women.

Maryam Shafipour On March 2, a revolutionary court found Maryam Shafipour, a student rights activist, guilty of violating the country's national security and sentenced her to seven years in prison. Shafipour, 27, was summoned to the Evin Prison prosecutor's office on July 27, 2013, and then arrested. She had spent several years advocating for the rights of university students barred from higher education because of their activism and for the release of political prisoners, including the 2009 presidential candidate, Mehdi Karroubi, who is under house arrest. Branch 28 of Tehran's revolutionary court convicted Shafipour of “propaganda against the state,” “assembly and collusion against the national security,” and “membership in an illegal group” that the source said was defending the rights of university students barred from education.

Ziba Shirazi, Iranian Artist, Poet and Musician Sings Tribute to Bahareh Hedayat

Sadmin — 2014-03-08T19:48:17Z

Change for Equality:
By: Sussan Tahmasebi

The Free Bahareh Hedayat Campaign: Ten Days with Bahareh, was launched today on March 8, 2014 with a beautiful musical tribute by Iranian artist and vocalist Ziba Shirazi. See the video here

In this musical tribute Ziba Shirazi sets to music a poem by the famous poet Houshang Ebtehaj and expresses regret for the continued imprisonment of Bahareh.

The translation of Ziba's message and song are provided below:

Message: Dear Bahareh, I am sorry that the springs of your life have turned to winter behind the bars of the prison.

Song: Oh happiness, freedom, what will I do with this heart of sadness, upon your return

Oh happiness, freedom, I will lay this blossoming blood, like a bouquet of red flowers at your feet, upon your return.

Oh happiness, freedom, I will raise my young heart like a victorious flag and mount this bloody banner on your peaks, upon your return.

Message: With the hope of freedom for you and 1000s of other Bahrehs

Ziba Shirazi is a popular Iranian Jazz and Pop musician, whose songs focus on women's emotions, the expressions of love and feminism. She has consistently supported the demands of the Iranian women's movement through her music and by performing free of charge at events focused on women's rights. In April 2011, Ziba Shirazi sent a birthday message to Bahareh Hedayat, in which she wished Bahareh a happy birthday and expressed hopes for Bahareh's return and freedom.

Listen to this message here

UnBlock Iran Features Bahareh Hedayat Campaign and Student Activist on March 8th

Sadmin — 2014-03-08T18:56:11Z

Change for Equality: Unblock Iran a site dedicated to raising awareness about political prisoners in Iran has featured the Case of Bahareh Hedayat on International Women's Day, March 8, 2014.

Unblock Iran: Today on International Women's Day, we remember #Feminist Bahareh Hedayat, imprisoned and sentenced to 9.5 years for her commitment to end discriminatory laws against women in Iran.

Instead of being celebrated today, she is in critical condition at Evin Prison. Speak up for her freedom today. Take a look at Bahareh's Timeline on Unblock Iran

Release Shafipour, Hedayat, and All Other Women Prisoners of Conscience

Sadmin — 2014-03-08T18:47:30Z

Change for Equality:

International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran: International Women's Day Sees Shafipour Sentenced to Seven Years As the world prepares to honor and promote the economic, political, and social achievements of women on International Women's Day, Iran has sentenced yet another young woman, Maryam Shafipour, for her peaceful activities.

The Iranian Judiciary should release student activists Shafipour and Bahareh Hedayat, along with the eight other women held in Tehran's Evin Prison's political prisoners' ward Nesvan, the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran said today.

“There is no justification for these young women to languish in prison for precisely the kind of positive engagement that International Women's Day is meant to promote,” said Hadi Ghaemi, executive director of the Campaign.

A student activist and member of Mehdi Karroubi's 2009 election campaign, Maryam Shafipour was arrested on July 27, 2013. On March 1, the Tehran Revolutionary Court sentenced her to seven years' imprisonment and two years' ban on “cyberspace, media, and press activities.” Hedayat, a student and women's rights activist, has been serving a nine-year prison term since December 2009.

The eight other women serving prison terms in Evin's political ward Nesvan include six women of the Baha'i faith—Fariba Kamal Abadi, 20 years; Mahvash Shahriari, 20 years; Faran Hesami, 4 years; Nooshin Khadem, 4 years; Leva Khanjani, 2 years; and Zhinoos Rahimi, 1 year—as well as a Christian convert, Maryam Naghash Zargaran, 4 years; and a member of the Mourning Mothers of Laleh Park, Hakimeh Shokri, 3 years.

Maryam Shafipour's recent sentencing for the political charges of “propaganda against the regime” and “assembly and collusion against national security” included an unheard of ban on participating in cyberspace, a dangerous precedent for political activists and dissidents in Iran.

Security forces arrested Shafipour on July 27, 2013, after she answered a summons to Evin Prison Court. They then transferred her to Evin Prison, where she spent 67 days in solitary confinement and nearly eight months in “temporary detention” while her case judge refused to release her on bail.

During the trial, “Examples of ‘propaganda against the regime' have been provided as her publishing content in cyberspace through Facebook and ‘portrayal of a dark image' of the Islamic Republic. What this means is that whoever writes any critical messages on Facebook can be accused of this ‘crime,'” a source close to her family told the Campaign.

“Other examples of her crimes is that they found an application form for a student visa on her laptop computer. Under what law is applying for a student visa a crime?” the source added.

Maryam Shafipour is a former student of Agricultural Engineering at Qazvin International University. She was first suspended from education for two terms and later dismissed from the university due to her student activities. In 2010, a Qazvin Revolutionary Court had sentenced her to one year in prison for her student activities, which had been suspended.

Bahareh Hedayat, now 32, is a former member of the Central Council and the Spokesperson for the nationwide student organization Daftar-e Tahkim-e Vahdat. A Tehran court sentenced her to a total of nine years and six months in prison, comprised of two years for “insulting the Supreme Leader,” six months for “insulting the President,” and five years for “acting against national security and publishing falsehoods.” She was also sentenced to an additional two years in prison for “acting against national security through holding a protest gathering for women” on June 12, 2006, currently suspended.

“Releasing all these women would be a much more fitting way to mark March 8 than continuing to sentence and imprison women activists for peaceful exercise of their rights,” Ghaemi said.

Launch of Camapign To Free Bahareh Hedayat: Ten Days with Bahareh

Sadmin — 2014-03-08T18:34:32Z

Change for Equality:

A Call to Action and for Support

The Campaign to Free Bahareh Hedayat

Join us for the Campaign “10 Days with Bahareh Hedayat on the Occasion of March 8th, International Women's Day”

The Campaign Ten Days with Bahareh, will commence on March 8, and aims to raise awareness about the situation of Bahareh Hedayat, a women's rights and student rights activist and a founding member of the One Million Signatures Campaign. Each of the ten days will be dedicated to one aspect of Bahareh's activism, her life or her situation in prison. This Campaign has been launched by women's rights and student rights activists in objection to a ten year sentence issued in the case of Bahareh, in relation to her peaceful activism and her demand for the most basic of human rights.

We hope that during these ten days we will be able to raise awareness around her situation among the Iranian public, Iranian authorities and the international community. In accordance with Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code of Iran, Bahareh is eligible for release after serving half of her sentence. Four and half years of the 10 year sentence issued in her case have been served thus far, which makes her close to eligible for conditional release. Further her declining health condition in prison makes her release of greater urgency. In this Campaign, we call out to the Iranian authorities to take measures to release her immediately and unconditionally.

Join us and on the occasion of March 8th and stand with Bahareh for 10 days, by joining this Campaign. Ten years is not just a statistic, it is a lifetime. Free Bahareh.

Day 1. Bahareh is a Women's Rights Activist

Day 2. Bahareh is a Student Rights Activist

Day 3. Bahareh is a Prisoner of Conscience

Day 4. Bahareh is a Wife

Day 5. Bahareh is a Daughter and a Sister

Day 6. Bahareh's Health is Deteriorating

Day 7. Bahareh is a well Known Activists in the International Community

Day 8. Bahareh is a Friend

Day 9. Bahareh is a Young Iranian Woman

Day 10. Bahareh is a Woman Human Rights Defender! Free her!

Join the Campaign by sending a message of solidarity to Bahareh (either in written form or by video), or send a video message to Iranian authorities politely asking for her release. Messages and writings can be sent to the following email address: bahar.campaign@gmail.com

Please visit the Free Bahareh Facebook page <https://www.facebook.com/FreeBahare...> and publicize its contents, share them on your websites or through social media.

Thanks for your support.

To find out more about Bahareh read the following:

The Birth of Hope, By Sussan Tahmasebi

Bahareh Hedayat a Woman's Rights Activist: A Woman of Thirty in Prison, by Elahe Amani

Bahareh Hedayat From the Perspective of her Friends in the Women's Commission of the Office to Foster Unity

Iran Should Release Imprisoned Activist for Urgent Medical Treatment

Nobel Women's Initiative Spotlight on Bahareh Hedayat

Pressures on Women Human Rights Defenders, Female Activists Continue Despite Election Results and General Sense of Hope

Sadmin — 2013-07-11T22:54:43Z

Change for Equality: With the election of Hassan Rouhani as the future President of Iran, there was a general sense that pressures on activists would end or lessen. Women's rights activists were no different and had hoped that with the election of a new President who had signaled changes in policies of exerting pressures on social activists, a more conciliatory approach would be adopted by security forces and the judiciary as well. Unfortunately, to date this has not happened and despite releases of some political prisoners or furloughs, pressures on others continue. It is hoped that with the start of President elect Rouhani's term, both the Judiciary and security forces will also relieve pressure on activists.

The following is an update on the situation of some women human rights defenders, female journalists and activists who have been pressured over the last month.

Fariba Pajoo, Reformist Journalist Arrested

According to reports, Fariba Pajoo, a journalist, was arrested in her home on July 11 and transferred to Evin prison. According to news sources, Fariba Pajoo was arrested after the contested presidential elections in 2009 and was released on bail after spending 124 days in prison. She was later sentenced to serve a year mandatory prison term, which was changed to a suspended sentence for a period of 5 years by the 54th Branch of the Revolutionary Court. It is not clear why Fariba Pajoo was arrested, but her friends and colleagues have expressed great concern for her on social media sites.

Samira Razaghi, Medical Student in Shiraz University Arrested

According to reports form Daneshjoo News, Samira Razzaghi, a Physician and a student of Radio Therapy at the Shiraz Medical University was arrested on the 26th of June. According to reports, until July 2 she was being held in the detention center of the Provincial Office of the Ministry of Intelligence in Shiraz. This arrest takes place while Samira Razzaghi is in her final term at university. According to student rights activists at Shiraz university, this arrest has taken place at the urging of university head, Dr. Imanieh. The student activists have informed Daneshjoo news that Dr. Hadi Imanieh, the head of the Medical University had prevented Samira Razzaghi from registering for courses, without offering any reason for this action. In the end , the university was forced to comply with an order from the Court, allowing Ms. Razzaghi to register for courses. It should be noted that Dr. Samira Razzaghi has received honors on several occasions as a medical student and in her studies for specialization. She is also a student activist, and served as the editor of the student publication and was a member of the Islamic Student Organization (before the student group was prevented from activity by the university).

Fatemeh Kheradmand, Journalist Sentenced to Serve One Year Mandatory Prison Term

According to reports, Fatemeh Kheradmand, journalist was sentenced to serve a year in prison, by Judge Pirabassi, from the 26th Branch of the Revolutionary Courts. She was charged with the spreading of propaganda against the State, through cooperation with the publication “The Green Pen.”

Ms. Kheradmand was arrested in January 2012 in her home and was transferred to Evin prison, Section 209. She was released 25 days later. Her court was held in late October 2012, along with Saeed Madani and Ehsan Houshmand.

Fatemeh Kheradmand is a graduate of the school of journalism at Azad University in Tehran. She was one of the activists working on the Campaign of Mir Hossein Mousavi for the 2009 elections. Her husband Massoud Lavasani is also a journalist who was arrested following the 2009 elections.

Shiva NazarAhari Fined for Failure to Return on Time to Prison from Furlough

Shiva NazarAhari, a women's rights and human rights activist, was tried again by the Revolutionary Courts and was sentenced to pay a fine. According to reports published by the Committee of Human Rights Reporters, approximately 3 weeks ago, Shiva NazarAhari, who is a founder of the group and previously served as the Director of this human rights organization, was charged by the Revolutionary Courts for “absence from prison” following a furlough for the Iranian new year in March. Shiva had been granted furlough after spending 184 days in prison. NazarAhari was sentenced to pay a fine in the amount of 100,000 tomans (approximately $50) on this charge.

Nazarahari is serving a four year prison sentence on security charges, such as fighting the state, spreading of propaganda against the state and illegal gathering. The charges have been brought against her in relation to her human rights activities.

Nasrin Sotoodeh Returned to Prison after Short Furlough

According to reports from the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran, Nasrin Sotoodeh, was summoned back to prison on Sunday night July 7. She had been granted furlough from prison on June 23, for four days. She returned to prison with a 10 day delay. According to Reza Khandan, Nasrin Sotoodeh's husband, she was returned to prison, despite promises made that her furlough would be followed by permanent release from prison. Khandan also explained that while on Furlough Sotoodeh requested that her time out of prison be renewed. She wrote two letters to the public prosecutors office, but the letters requesting increased furlough were unanswered. Nasrin Sotoodeh has been sentenced to served six years in prison. She has been in prison since September 2010.

Iran Officials Refuse Registration of 18 Kilometer Swim Record of Female Athlete on Islamic Grounds

Sadmin — 2013-07-02T15:57:19Z

Change for Equality: Elham Alsadaat Asghari is the first woman to break a record in open water in Iran. In June she broke the record for the crawl in the Caspian Sea, but when she went to register her important achievement, she was confronted with an unbelievable problem. The officials at the Ministry of Sports told her that they cannot register her record because there is no officially registered description at the Ministry with respect to requirements for “women's swimming suites for open water”. She is being told this, despite the fact that during her swim in the Caspian Sea she wore complete Islamic clothing [as defined by authorities] and official judges were present to observe her during the entire time of her swim.

Officials at the Ministry of Sports told her that no matter how Islamic her clothes during her swim, the registration of her record, as far they are considered, would be un-Islamic and contrary to Sharia. Elham Alsaadat Asghari explained in interviews that: “my swim clothes were as heavy as an astronaut's uniform, but I had no other choice. If they ask Mr. Rezazadeh [weightlifting champion] to wear an outfit of the same type of the same weight before lifting weights, he would bid farewell to weightlifting forever.”

The 32 year old swimming champion and record breaker stressed that swimming an 18 kilometer distance under these circumstances was not easy, and that she cannot just forget that she had broken a record. She went on to say that: “when I swim for hours in the ocean and refuse to succumb to the waves, it is difficult for me to succumb to the personal decisions and beliefs of some officials, for this reason I will continue to press for my legal rights. My record was achieved fairly and legally and it has to be registered!”

Jila Baniyaghoub, Women's Rights Activist Released After Serving One Year Sentence

Sadmin — 2013-06-28T16:40:14Z

Change for Equality:

Change for Equality: Jila Baniyaghoub women's rights activist and journalist was released on June 24, 2013 after serving her one year prison term. Jila was arrested in the aftermath of contested 2009 Presidential elections. She was charged with "spreading propaganda against the system" and "insulting the president". The court banned her from practicing journalism for thirty years and sentenced her to a year in prison. Her husband Bahman Ahmadi Amouee also a journalist remains in prison, since 2009 and has one year left of his five year prison sentence.

Nasrin Sotoodeh, who is a lawyer and women's rights activist, was released on furlough on June 24th. She is serving a six year prison term in relation to her human rights activities.

The furlough of Sotoudeh comes at a time when others have also been granted furlough and following the 2013 Presidential elections, in which Hassan Rouhani a moderate was elected. It is hoped that under his watch many of the political prisoners who remain in prison will be released, including women's rights activists and female political prisoners.

International campaign to support the rights of Iranian workers

Fadmin — 2013-04-23T16:22:15Z

The elimination of subsidies, the increasing economic sanctions, policies of economic adjustment, privatization, and the increasing growth of parasitic economics have resulted in the closure of many production plants, and the move of the industrial and agricultural production sector toward non-production activities are threating the lives and livelihood of millions of workers and their families in Iran.. The reports of the Economic Commission of the Parliament of the IRI, as reported by Worker's News, in the Fall of 2011 indicate that 50% of production centers in Iran have either been closed or are on the verge of closure and most of the larger production centers are working at less than 30% capacity.

The Campaign calls on those who believe in social justice and who want the freedom of imprisoned workers, to become the voice of Iranian workers between the 21st of April to the 1st of May, and work through whatever means available to them to bring attention to the plight of all Iranian workers, including those who are employed, unemployed, women workers, child workers, Afghan workers and especially imprisoned workers.

The Livelihood of Workers in Iran

Workers live under the poverty line in Iran.
On December 21, 2012 in an interview with PANA news agency (a governmental news site), a member of the High Council of Employment, announced the official poverty line in Iran for a household of four at 15 million Rials. According to reports by Iran's Central bank and Iran's Statistics Center, the inflation rate in the last few months of the Iranian year was over 31% and for some consumable products it was reported to be as high as 40%. Calculating for this level of inflation, unofficial estimates put the poverty line for a family of four at 17 Million Rials at the start of the new Iranian year (March 20, 2013). In the same year, the High Council of Employment set the minimum wage for workers at 4,870,000 Rials. Comparing this figure with the estimated poverty line for the same year sheds light on the tragic and critical situation of workers in Iran. Despite the fact that the wages set for workers is extremely low, they still are denied this basic pay. Workers are often compensated for their work with several months delay or they don't get paid at all. For example, 2300 workers at Safa Pipe Factory in Saveh, were not only denied New Year's bonuses, but have not been paid for three months (their pay has been delayed). Further, workers working at the Kahkooliyeh and Booyer Ahmad Roads Construction Company were finally compensated with their pay and benefits in February 2013, after a seven month. Living under such difficult circumstances constitutes a slow death for most Iranian workers and their families.

It should be noted that the process of establishing the minimum wage per month for workers, carried out by the High Council of Employment and the Ministry of Cooperatives, Work and Social Security is not even in line with Article 41 of the Iranian Law on Employment. At the same time, the current situation also violates Article 25 of Universal Declaration on Human Rights. Article 25 of the UDA states: “everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for
the health and well-being of himself and of his family, including food, clothing, housing and medical care and necessary social services, and the right to security in the event of unemployment, sickness, disability, widowhood, old age or other lack of livelihood in circumstances beyond his control. “

Work Related Accidents

Slow death is not the only threat facing Iranian workers. Death resulting from workplace accidents, is a major threat facing workers, which contributes to the death of 1000‘s of workers on a yearly basis. Most workers are employed in small plants without any regulatory oversight. When they die as a result of work related accidents, their families are left without a bread winner or financial recourse, as these workers are not insured. According to reports from the office of the Medical Examiner, 5 workers die as a result of work related accidents per day. This rate has witnessed a yearly increase. In 2010, the number of workers dying as a result of work related accidents was 1290 persons. In 2011 the figure increased to 1507. According to reports and statistics, work related injuries are the second highest factor leading to death in Iran.

Falling from buildings in construction sites while at work, dying as a result of explosion in mines, fires in work places, the collapse of buildings and falling into deep wells comprise the most frequently reported work related accidents resulting in death of workers. In almost all the cases, these accidents occur as a result of the absence of safety measures and unsafe working conditions. ILNA (Iranian Labor News Agency) has repeatedly reported on the oversights and shortcomings on the part of government inspectors from the Ministry of Cooperatives, Work and Social Security.

Examples of work related incidents are plenty including a fire in the fall of 2011 at the Foulad factory in Yazd during which 18 workers lost their lives and a number suffered severe burns, including burns on more than 50% of their bodies. In February of 2012, a mines explosion in Tabas resulted in the loss of lives of 8 workers. Legal measures taken up by the courts in several incidents have not resulted in any redress for workers and their families.

The Dismissal of Workers and the Crisis of Employment
Most workers in Iran are employed based on temporary contracts and as daily and hourly laborers. These workers do not have the benefit of unemployment insurance, health insurance and workers compensation insurance. Their contracts make it very easy for their employers to dismiss them individually or as a group. Given the increasing economic sanctions against Iran, and the poor economic policies which are also in contradiction to national interests and the outrageous increases in the prices of foreign currencies, the lives of citizens, but especially workers and laborers has become very difficult.

Many of the employers, because of the relationships they enjoy with the State, have been able to take advantage of lower rates for purchase of currencies, to pay for their imports, their equipment or primary products necessary for production. The sale of the lower priced currency, which is available to those with connections with the government, or investing in sales business, rather than production, generates more profit. As a result of these trends, many employers who are not subject to oversight and controls have closed their factories and workshops and dismiss workers. According to the head of the House of Workers, a government entity, between May 1, 2011 and May 1, 2012, 100,000 workers were dismissed from their places of employment.

Imprisoned Workers

Despite the fact that Iranian law recognizes the rights of workers to set up trade organizations and unions, the government has resisted and seriously opposes and prevents efforts by workers to set up independent organizations in support of their rights and demands. Progressive workers, who have worked to set up Syndicates and unions, have been harassed and pursued legally. For example, members of the Bus Drivers Syndicate of Greater Tehran, Haft Tapeh Sugar Worker's Syndicate of Ahvaz, Painters Syndicate, Free Workers Union, and the Committee for Support of Workers ‘Organizations, have all experienced pressures crackdowns by security officials. Many of the members of these workers organizations have been sentenced to long prison terms, and at present several of them are serving their prison terms. The following workers' rights activists have been sentenced to serve prison terms and are serving their prison terms: Shahrokh Zamani, 11 years; Reza Shahbi, 6 years; Mohammad Jarahi 5 years; Behnam Ibrahimzadeh, 5 years (on furlough at the time this report was prepared); and Pedram Nasrollahi, 18 months. In addition to
those named above, a number of other workers' rights activists and teachers rights activists, are currently in prison in Iran or are free on heavy bail amounts.

A number of workers and union members currently in prison are severely ill, including Shahrokh Zamani and Mohammad Jarahi, and need urgent medical care and supervision outside of prison.

The names of union members/workers and teachers currently in prison are as follows: Shahrokh Zamani, Mohammad Jarahi, Behrooz Allamehzadeh, Behrooz Nikfard, Alireza Saeedi, Qaleb Hossieni, Ali Azadi, Pedram Nasrollahi, Rasool Bodaghi (member of the teachers trade union), Abdulreza Ghanbari, (member of the teachers trade union), Mehdi Farahi Shandiz, Sharif Saed Panah, and Mozafar Saleh Nia.

The Situation of Female Workers

Female workers, in Iran's patriarchal society suffer from multiple historical, cultural, social and legal discriminations. They are also the first victims who suffer from political, social and economic crisis in Iran. Besides being employed in low paying and intensive labor professions, with long hours and often informal and illegal working conditions, female workers receive lower pay, even for equal work. Female workers are also the first to be dismissed when their employers suffer economic woes. The increases in the rate of unemployment of women, has increased from 33% in 2005 to 44% in 2010 according to official stats.

According to official statistics, female workers comprise 5% of the total workers and laborers. Because women are often employed in the informal sector they are often not even counted in official statistics. Even in formal employment sectors the rights of women workers are often not upheld, and the benefits that according to the law they are entitled to is often denied them. These benefits, such as maternity leave, time off to breastfeed infants, the creation of breastfeeding facilities at their workplace and establishment of day care facilities at their workplace, have in fact resulted in employers ‘reluctance to hire women workers. Some employers force women to sign contracts which oblige them to avoid pregnancy during their term of employment.

According to Article 191 of the Law on Employment, small workshops employing less than 10 persons are not obliged to meet the laws and regulations set forth in the Law on employment. According to reports, the workers working in this sector, who tend to be predominantly women, are employed without the right to health insurance, government pensions (which employers contribute to), annual leave, and maternity leave. They often work long hours, are engaged in difficult work and get paid a low wage. There is no oversight of safety and health issues provided at these workshops.

A large number of female workers have turned to production work in their own homes, which they often carry out with the help of their families and children. This type of labor is often difficult, involves long hours and has no government oversight, as it is in the homes of the female workers.

With the adoption of the “Off-site Work Program,“ the government has s encouraged this type of domestic production work, which allows exploitation of workers by employers and contributes to increased physical, emotional and psychological pressures on and violence against women.

Unfortunately to the ranks of these female workers, we have to add those engaged in prostitution, whose numbers are on the rise. This sector of female workers, not only does not benefit from any rights, but are at risk of arrest, prison and even execution.

Child Labor/Workers

Article 79 of the Law on employment has outlawed the employment of children under the age of 15. But according to unofficial statistics and based on reports from Mashregh Website (a government site) and the Parliamentary Research Center in the Fall of 2012, three million and 265 thousand children were left behind from education. Of these children who are out of the school system, 3 million of them were identified as child workers/laborers.

Child workers tend to be employed in small workshops or are engaged in production of products at home (domestic production) or work as street peddlers selling products to consumers on the streets. Given the 40% inflation rate and the poverty rate of vulnerable families, the number of these children is on the rise.

Under current circumstances, especially given the high level of dismissals of workers from industrial factories/workshops, women and children are facing increasing poverty and enjoy no social supports or safety nets. As a result the numbers of women and children entering prostitution is on the rise, the age of those turning to drugs and addiction has decreased, and illiteracy or low literacy is on the rise.

Afghan Workers

The situation of Afghan workers and in general the situation of refugee and migrant workers in Iran is disastrous. Of the two million Afghan workers living in Iran, about two thirds, meaning 1 million and 400 thousand do not have legal working papers. Despite the fact that they have lived in Iran for years, the government, has not addressed their situation. This situation has added to their problems, so much so, that they do not even benefit from the limited rights that other workers enjoy. The pay scale of Afghan workers, as compared to, workers who have been officially hired as full time permanent workers, is much lower, and their working conditions are much more difficult. Afghan workers do not benefit from health insurance, pension benefits, or workers ‘compensation. Their children do not have the right to be educated and they do not have identity cards. These workers and their families live under very difficult circumstances.

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