Reports from Khuzestan Province (southwestern Iran) indicate that seven workers of the ‘Haft Tapeh’ Sugar Cane Company have been threatened in court that they would be sentenced to prison if they continue their trade union and guild activities. In the past two weeks, the workers have been summoned to the police twice and introduced to the court.

According to the report, during the court session in the city of Shush, the judge, without questioning the workers, told them that they were involved in provoking the workers to strike and close the road. The workers were not allowed to defend themselves.

According to reports, the seven workers were told that they have to go to the police station every month for six months and sign a paper. The seven workers were threatened that if their colleagues (other workers of Haft Tapeh Sugar Cane) start a strike or close the road, they will be sentenced to four years imprisonment.

Earlier, Free Union of Iran Workers had reported that Ali Nejati, member of the board of Haft Tapeh Workers Union who was fired from work was summoned to the judiciary to serve his prison terms. Mr. Nejati has been sentenced to six months in prison.

According to the report, Ali Nejati’s charges include “communication with activists abroad, activating workers’ movement in northern Khuzestan, holding the International Labor Day ceremony and International Women’s Day on March 8, and holding the weekly meetings of the Haft Tapeh Syndicate”.

Before that, the Haft Tapeh Sugar Cane Workers Syndicate reported the arrest of at least 15 workers and the summoning of 53 workers to the Justice Department of the city of Shush. The imprisoned workers were released on two rounds and the summoned workers were released after submitting their payroll stub to the judiciary and bailing by their colleagues.

Seven workers from Haft Tapeh Sugar Cane were threatened by the court judge while they have not received their salaries for the months of July, August and September.

Haftapeh Sugar Cane Plantation and Corporation is located in western Iran, near the ancient city of Susa in Khuzistan province. This corporation officially started its operation in 1962, and it was officially registered as corporation in 1974, and had obtained license for agricultural activities and all products related with sugar cane.

Source » ncr-iran