Iran's Teacher Crisis - ILO Workers' Group and EI meet with Government
The ILO Workers' Group and EI met the Iranian delegation to the ILO Governing Body in Geneva on 21 March on the current teacher crisis in Iran. This meeting is the result of EI's request for ILO intervention on 16 March.
The Iranian delegation, led by the Deputy Minister for Employment and Human Resources, stated their government did not want teachers to be imprisoned. EI requested the delegation to contact Tehran and urge the release of all teachers and trade unionists currently in prison, for the start of Iran's New Year celebrations on the same day (21 March).
EI further requested the delegation to obtain replies from the office of the President of Iran to the letters sent by EI dated 9 and 16 March 2007.
The leaders of the ILO Workers' Group leaders insisted that Iran should ratify Convention 87 and 98 on Freedom of Association and the Right to Organise.
Together with EI, they emphasized that social dialogue with truly independent trade unions is the key to resolution of issues such as those confronting teachers in Iran today. EI will continue to follow the case with the ILO Office and Workers' Group.
