In a compelling act of international solidarity, several major Australian labor unions and civil society organizations have released a joint statement in support of Iranian workers’ fight for fundamental rights, marking International Workers’ Day 2025.
The signatories to this statement include:
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The Independent Education Union of Australia (IEUA) – Representing over 75,000 members across Australia’s non-government education sector, the IEUA advocates for the rights and conditions of teachers, administrators, and support staff.
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The Edmund Rice Centre (ERC) – A respected human rights organization with consultative status at the United Nations, ERC works on justice initiatives for First Nations people, refugees, and those affected by climate injustice.
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The Rev. Bill Crews Foundation – A prominent Sydney-based charitable organization supporting the homeless and disadvantaged, powered by over 1,500 volunteers and 300 full-time staff.
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Crosslink Christian Network (CLCN) – A Christian movement consisting of around 130 churches in Australia and dozens more internationally, focused on social and spiritual outreach.
Retired civil servants in Kermanshah and telecom workers in Sistan and Baluchestan protested over unpaid pensions and delayed wages. In Isfahan, Meymeh residents demanded law enforcement, while petrochemical workers in Bandar Mahshahr rallied against worsening work conditions. pic.twitter.com/MU2FcAjxOj
— NCRI-FAC (@iran_policy) September 24, 2024
Iranian Workers in Crisis
The joint statement draws attention to the widespread exploitation and systematic suppression of workers in Iran, citing Iranian media sources and official figures:
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Job insecurity is rampant, with 94% of workers on temporary or informal contracts, and 95% never receiving a copy of their employment agreements—leaving them vulnerable to arbitrary dismissal.
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Independent unions are banned, replaced by state-run “Islamic Labor Councils” that do not represent workers’ interests.
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Wages are far below survival levels—the government-set minimum wage for 2025 is 10 million tomans per month, while the actual cost of living exceeds 35 million, making essentials unaffordable for most families.
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Food insecurity is widespread—as reported in 2023 by Arman Emrooz, some workers can only afford meat three times per year.
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Workplace fatalities are alarmingly frequent—with an average of 40 workers killed each week in unsafe conditions, especially in mines and construction sites.
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Women face disproportionate discrimination—a 2021 report by Farhikhtegan revealed that 1 in 5 employed women lost their jobs in a single year.
#Iran News: Fatal Rockfall at Bajestan Mine Marks Third Deadly Incident in Four Days Amid Ongoing Safety Crisis https://t.co/IJWdG7P3Ch
— NCRI-FAC (@iran_policy) April 10, 2025
Urgent Global Action Needed
The Australian coalition demands that the International Labour Organization (ILO) place Iran on its blacklist for “persistent and grave violations of labor rights,” despite being a signatory to core international labor conventions.
“Iranian workers have suffered under both monarchist and theocratic regimes,” the statement reads. “They are denied the right to organize, forced to endure dangerous conditions, and paid wages that trap them in poverty. This is more than exploitation—it is structural violence.”
The statement calls for:
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Official recognition of independent labor unions
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Living wages tied to real-world costs
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Enforceable workplace safety standards
#Iran News:
Tragic Deaths of 8 #Workers Within One Weekhttps://t.co/WRuWLu16O7— NCRI-FAC (@iran_policy) April 20, 2024
The groups also urge the global labor and human rights community to extend active solidarity to Iranian workers—many of whom face arrest, torture, or even execution simply for striking or demanding basic rights.
A Message from Australia’s Labor Community
This declaration of support arrives amid a wave of labor activism across Iran, as oil workers, teachers, and industrial employees continue to stage protests despite fierce repression.
Amid these growing challenges, the backing of Australian unions and NGOs signals that the international labor movement is paying close attention—and is ready to speak out.