December 10, 2009

The Islamic judiciary announced that jailed labor leader and president of the board of directors of the Syndicate of Workers of the Tehran and Suburbs (Vahed) Bus Company Mansour Osanloo, has been fired from his job. Osanloo’s attorney, Parviz Khorsheed said that his client was discharged via a court order and that he will be appealing the decision .

Mansour Osanloo is a leading trade unionist and labor leader who has been arrested and imprisoned on several occasions by the Islamic regime. His brave struggles against violations of workers rights has turned him not only into a hero of the labour movement in Iran but also internationally.

In July of 2007, Osanloo and upon his return back to Iran he was arrested and once again imprisoned.

Mansour Osanloo is currently serving a five year prison sentence in Tehran’s Evin prison; he is charged with “acting against national security.” Osanloo has been battling sever eye infections and is said to be on the verge of losing his eyesight due to injuries sustained during his arrest and imprisonment.

Last year, Mansour Osanloo was awarded the FNV vakbondsrechtenprijs (Trade Union Rights Award), an award that is presented every two years to people who dedicate themselves to trade union activities under difficult circumstances and at personal risk. The award ceremony was held in his absentia since he was in prison.

Compiled and translated from Persian to English by Planet Iran staff

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