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Iran's communists call for solidarity for jailed lorry drivers

IRANIAN communists called for international solidarity today with lorry drivers jailed for taking strike action while the clerical regime threatens them with the death penalty.

Tudeh Party international secretary Navid Shomali condemned the Iranian courts for issuing the death penalty against 17 drivers last week and called for the immediate release of those held in the country’s jails and detention centres.

“The regime’s ramping up of intimidation against the strikers and their representatives must be exposed under a spotlight and firmly resisted,” he said.

Iranian lorry drivers have been on strike over worsening terms and conditions, not being paid for months and a rise in the cost of fuel and other equipment. It is the second national strike after a failure to deliver on promises following similar action in May. 

The strike spread across Iran with depots forced to close and goods not being delivered as around half-a-million drivers in 31 states walked out. The Iranian regime threatened those on strike and more than 200 arrests were made with a court in Qazvin province threatening 17 workers with the death penalty.

International Transport Federation spokesman Stephen Cotton said: “ITF affiliates globally are urging the Iranian government to listen to their truckers’ demands. It is economic solutions that are needed. Not threats of executions.”

The strike is part of growing unrest and opposition to the policies of Iran’s clerical regime which has clamped down on growing anti-government protests across the country. 

Mr Shomali told the Star: “The economic crisis and collapse of the national currency has driven workers and employees from a wide spectrum of sectors to undertake industrial action.  They are seeking an urgent response to their demands that have so far fallen on the deaf ears of management and the regime. 

“This is the second time this year that the truck drivers have gone on the strike. They have seen no meaningful change in their plight despite government promises made in May.

“Furthermore, we condemn the regime court’s threats to execute the truck drivers for going on strike. The regime’s ramping up of intimidation against the strikers and their representatives must be exposed under a spotlight and firmly resisted. The regime must not be allowed to think that it can seize the initiative this way, or that the resolve of the truckers and wider labour movement in Iran can be crushed accordingly,” he said.

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