AN IRANIAN human rights organisation is calling on British trade unionists to stand with workers at the “epicentre” of the coronavirus crisis in Iran. 

The Committee for the Defence of the Iranian People’s Rights (Codir) said the theocratic regime had refused to impose protective measures in workplaces or provide financial support to help businesses remain afloat while in lockdown. 

“This means that workers are coerced into going to their workplaces despite the dangers rather than being left jobless, destitute and hungry,” the group said in a statement. 

Codir blamed the government’s “negligent” approach to the crisis for the rapid spread of Covid-19 in Iran, which now has nearly 32,000 active cases, according to an official count — though the true figures is believed to be far higher. 

“The regime must develop an effective response to take even the most basic measures to try and counter the coronavirus,” said Codir assistant general secretary Jamshid Ahmadi. 

The committee is calling on trade unionists in Britain and around the world to also back its demand for the release of political prisoners from coronavirus-infected jails.