Support Iranian teachers!

Submitted by Anon on 7 April, 2007 - 11:37

So the British sailors captured by the Iranian navy have now been released. Their capture was a deliberate provocation by the Iranian regime, possibly in part to distract from the working class struggle now gripping the country.

For the last few weeks Iranian teachers have been protesting against poverty wages and poor conditions. Many thousands have taken to the streets or staged unofficial sit-in demonstrations in schools. They have risked their personal safety in acts of audacious solidarity against the Islamic regime.

The teachers initially demanded negotiations with the government over its refusal to institute a “Parity Pay Bill” first agreed four years ago. Teachers‚ representatives had scheduled a meeting with the Minister of Education and other officials but they failed to show. One official from the “budgeting” committee turned up but remained silent throughout the meeting as did three representatives from the Security and Intelligence Ministry and others from the military. As the meeting was about pay and conditions, the teachers found the attendance of internal security and the army surprising. The military warned that given the current international situation, they considered the teachers actions “unhelpful”.

A swift crackdown followed, including arrests and intimidation. Of the large numbers arrested, only a handful have been released.

Teacher Associations across Iran, from the north, northwest and Kurdistan have issued public calls for release and have promised action if their demands are not met. A number of leading activists have been taken.

Education International‚ which represents teachers organisations across the world, demanded the immediate and unconditional release of all those detained and for negotiations to re-open. Given the tensions over the capture of British sailors and marines, such demands will have little effect. Whilst much of the left either wilfully ignores workers struggles in Iran EI demonstrates far better instincts.

Threats of action are also coming from workers’ organisations inside Iran. Groups ranging from the Union of Dismissed and Unemployed Workers to the Kermanshah Steel and Electrical Workers Trade Association have issued a statement which ends “Poverty and the nightmare of deprivation should not be endured by any human being… For teachers to obtain their rights would be an enormous achievement for all hard working people who have reached their threshold. We proclaim our unequivocal support for the teachers protest and stand in solidarity with them…”

United, independent working class action can and must be achieved to free all Iranians from the tyranny of Ahmedinejad and the clerical-fascists who pull the strings.

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