Stop Repression of Iranian Sugar Workers' Union! Five leaders of the independent union at Iran's Haft Tapeh Sugar Cane Plantation and Industry Company were sentenced to one-year prison terms on April 14. Haft Tapeh workers established an independent union in 2008 following a 42-day strike. The 5,000 workers employed at the site (including 3,000 contract workers) have had to resort to repeated strike action over the past two years over failure to pay wages and in support of basic workplace rights. Throughout these years workers have been ceaselessly harassed and victimized, with suspected militants subject to frequent arrests and public whippings. Now the government is seeking to crush the union and intimidate all Iranian workers with prison terms for acting against "national security" in connection with last year's strike and the formation of the union. All charges against the Haft Tapeh leaders must be annuled! You can support the Haft Tapeh workers by using the form below to send a message to the state and judicial authorities. To participate in other IUF campaigns, please click here. Date updated : 18-Feb-2009 Language : en Status: closed