May 26th, 2008

Source: Kanoon’eh Senfi’yeh Moalleman’eh Iran (Iranian Teachers’ Academic Association)

Kordestan

Bahaoddin Maleki, member of the board of directors of the teachers’ academic association of Kordestan, teacher of social sciences of the Haydar Mai and Ghawneh of Sanandadj was summoned to branch four (4) of the revolutionary prosecutor’s office of Sanandadj. He was served by a summons while at home, on Saturday; as such, he must appear on Wednesday, 8th of Khordad, 1387 (May 28th, 2008) to said branch. The summons charges him with “publishing untrue materials”.

Since the month of Mehr, last year (September 23rd to October 22nd, 2007) till now, Mr. Bahaoddin Maleki has been summoned to the representative of the regime’s command and staff center of the ministry of intelligence and security where each time they have warned him that he should desist from any further activities and any further participation in the distribution of bulletins or manifesto, otherwise they would relinquish him to the courts.

Regarding this matter Mr. Maleki states: “So far whatever has happened has been purely related to the academic association and guild-related; I have totally stayed away from any political activities.” In the matter of retaining legal representation, Mr. Maleki adds: “I must go and see what the issue is and if it boils down to it being necessary to do so, I will.”

Mr. Javad Khavawl who is also a member of the board of directors of the teachers’ academic association of Kordestan has been summoned to the administrative court of the ministry of education and training as well.

*  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *

Kermanshah

The protests of the year 1386 (March 20th, 2007 to March 20th, 2008) and then the month of Ordeebehesht of 1387 (April 21st through May 20th, 2008) organized by  the retirees of Kermanshah were meant to expose the falsity of the vows and empty promises given by Mr. Amini, the director of the Kermanshah branch of the ministry of education and training who had claimed to pay the bonus and annuities to those retiring from service.

The retirees gathered today, once again, following many other protests. Today’s protest was held in front of the building of the ministry of education and training branch of Kermanshah. The retirees who were furious at the empty promises of the authorities took to chanting “Harbingers of justice, shame, shame”; the collectively decided that if they do not get the desired results in the days to come, they will gather once again in front of the High Commission of the United Nations’ refugee center in Kermanshah.

Received reports indicate that  Mr. Amini who appeared in the gathering of retirees has said: “In the discussion held with Mr. Ali Ahmadi, he has promised to pay all of the bonus and retirement annuities of the workers in cash, in it’s entirety.”

But the retirees have said: “ If this time too, these promises end up being lies, we will walk to Tehran.”

*  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *

Yazd

Retiree residents of the city of Yazd which is made up of both men and women protested to demand the payment of their bonus and retirement annuities. During their most recent protest took place on Sunday, the 5th of Khordad, 1387 (May 25th, 2008). At the suggestion of Mr. Parveez Davoudi, the deputy comptroller of the ministry of education and training of Yazd, last night four (4) of the retirees representing all of the Yazd retirees have accompanied Mr. Davoudi to Tehran for discussions with the authorities of the ministry of education and training. There is still no news from the results of these discussions in Tehran but some say that the individual with whom the meeting has to be held is currently on a trip to Lebanon.

Yazdi retirees, like all other retirees also ask to receive their bonuses and retirement annuity. In the coming days, there are also plans to gather in front of the offices of the Yazd Friday prayer leader, should their demands not be addressed. All this happens at a time when during the months of Farvardeen and Ordeebehesht of 1387 (March 20th to May 20th, 2008) the employed and licensed teachers of Yazd have also not received their salaries.

Mr. Hessawmi-Far, member of the board of directors of the teachers academic association of Yazd states: “At present the salaries of the teachers are generally being paid toward various loans and they are only able to earn through working overtime. If these overtimes are paid late, life will become harder and harder on these teachers.”

*  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *

Mashhad

The retiree residents of Mashhad have also taken to protesting over the last three (3) weeks and they are scheduled to hold another rally in front of the Mashhad branch of the ministry of education and training on Wednesday, the 8th of Khordad, 1387 (May 28th, 2008). These retirees are also demanding the payment of their bonuses and retirement annuities from the government.

*  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *

Khouzestan

Teachers from the province of Khouzestan have not as of yet received their Ordeebehesht (April/May) salaries. The wages of the clerks and managers of the second (2nd) rotation has also not been paid for eight (8) months and for this reason a group of teachers from Abadan have turned up at the ministry of education and training branch of Abadan to make their inquiries regarding this matter. The authorities explain the lack of budgetary cash flow as the reason however an unofficial source states that the money is in fact stored away in personal accounts. Alongside this the teachers of Khouzestan have called for the return of the twenty five (25) year retirement law.

Local Abadani teacher, Mr. Aryan-Mehr says: “Why is the twenty five (25) year retirement law only  applicable to provinces like Tehran, Esfahan, etc.? These (leaders) should give priority to deprived areas. Local Khouzestan employees is easier worn out in 42 degree celsius temperatures. The people in charge should pay more attention to underprivileged provinces such as Khouzestan, Lorestan, Ilam, Chahar Mahal Bakhtiari, Kohkilouyeh and Bouyer-Ahmad, etc.

Translated from Persian to English by Planet Iran staff