Reported by PMOI/MEK
Iran, Dec. 13, 2018 – The Haft Tapeh Sugarcane Workers Syndicate issued a statement on Wednesday announcing the release of Esmaeel Bakhshi, a worker and workers’ representative of Haft Tapeh in Shush, southwest Iran.
Bakhshi and other workers were arrested on November 18 as the Haft Tapeh workers were on the 14th day of their strike and protests.
On that very day, Iranian opposition President Maryam Rajavi issued a message calling for urgent action by international organizations for the release of the jailed workers. She also hailed the Haft Tapeh sugarcane and Ahvaz steelworkers on strike.
“The enemy tries in vain to silence the voice of the deprived workers of Haft Tappeh through arrests and suppression. The cries of “we are hungry” of the children of Shush awaken the conscience of every human being, provoking them to rise up against the oppressive mullahs.”
The enemy tries in vain to silence the voice of the deprived workers of Haft Tappeh through arrests and suppression. The cries of “we are hungry” of the children of Shush awaken the conscience of every human being, provoking them to rise up against the oppressive mullahs. #Iran pic.twitter.com/PVom5G4KX3
— Maryam Rajavi (@Maryam_Rajavi) November 18, 2018
Mrs. Rajavi called on all of Iran’s youth, especially those in Khuzestan Province (southwest Iran), to support the protests in Shush and provide aid to the workers on strike in Haft Tapeh and Ahvaz. Mrs. Rajavi called on international human and labor rights organizations, and labor unions and syndicates to condemn the repressive measures carried out by the religious fascism ruling Iran against the workers. Mrs. Rajavi also demanded the immediate release of those arrested.
Ali Nejati, a member of the Haft Tapeh Workers Management Board of Directors, and Ms. Sepideh Gholian remain behind bars after being arrested during the rallies staged by Haft Tapeh workers.
The release of Esmaeel Bakhshi followed a wave of protest rallies by workers, college students and people from all walks of life across Iran who were seen chanting for the release of jailed workers. On Wednesday, Ahvaz steel workers held their 32nd consecutive day of strikes and demonstrations, chanting “Neither threats nor prisons, none are no longer effective,” demanding the release of their jailed colleagues. Ahvaz steelworkers have given the Iranian regime authorities until Saturday to respond to all their demands.
In Tehran, a group of workers held a rally outside the regime’s parliament expressing their support for the hardworking employees of the National Steel Group in Ahvaz and Haft Tapeh Sugarcane Mill workers in Shush. They were demanding the release of jailed workers, job security for the workers on strike and the regime-backed mafia to be restricted in their quest to control the country’s industries.
Simultaneously, 1,500 workers of the Haft Tapeh Sugarcane mill rallied outside the company administrative building and held a protesting gathering.
On December 7, as students across marked Students Day, various campuses across the country witnessed students holding protest rallies in support of these workers and demanding their release from authorities.
