Tuesday, Dec 19, 2006

In a statement issued today, the Syndicate of Workers of Tehran and Suburbs United Bus Company said Mansoor Ossanlou, the jailed President of the bus workers’ union, has been released. He was freed on a bail of 30 million Tomans (around US$33,000) deposited by his wife.

Mansoor Ossanlou was re-arrested on 19 November after spending nearly eight months in prison for his labour organising activities.

The harassment of the bus workers has continued throughout their long and bitter fight to win recognition for their union and for collective bargaining. Around 50 bus workers remain suspended without pay for taking part in a strike in January which was brutally crushed.

The persecutions generated a worldwide labour campaign in support of the bus workers, which is continuing.

For more information, contact: International Labour Solidarity Committee of the Worker-communist Party of Iran.