Workers of Haft Tappeh Sugarcane Factory sent a letter to International Labour Organization, complaining about ongoing arrest of labor activists in Iran.
“Constant suppress and detainment have always been the answer of Islamic Republic of Iran to the workers’ demands” reads the letter.
According to the letter, Iranian government accuses workers and labor activists of having tie with opposition parties and “tries to connect them with terrorist activities.”
“We reaffirm that these detained workers were just member of labor syndicates,” the letter says.
The workers of Haft Tappeh went on a 21-day-long strike in November 2018, protesting over delayed salaries and privatization of the factory. Tens of the workers have been arrested since.
Ismael Bakhshi, a worker activist and an employee in Haft Tappeh Sugarcane factory, was giving a speech among a crowd of protesters when the intelligence forces detained him for the first time in November 2018.
After spending 25 days in jail, Bakhshi in January invited Mahmoud Alavi, minister of Intelligence for a televised live debate regarding the tortures he has endured during captivity.
“Mr Alavi, I have endured such sufferings and pains during the 25 days, which I was in Etelaat captivity that I have not been freed from them since. I use mental medicine to release myself from them (the trauma),” Bakhshi posted on his Instagram account.
Sepideh Qolian, a human rights activist who was also arrested in November 2018, claimed she was under torture during her captivity.
Bakhshi and Qolian were both rearrested in late January and have been in captivity since.
Iranian and International human rights organization condemned the arrest of labor and human rights activists and asked the government to release them unconditionally.
