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Week Ending October 5, 2007

H.CON.RES.203 Condemning the persecution of labor rights advocates in Iran.

The resolution preamble alleges the arrests of Mahmoud Salehi, founder of the Saghez Bakery Workers Association, a labor group in Iran. Salehi is in prison and is reportedly in need of dialysis treatment.

The preamble also notes the beating of Mansour Osanloo, another union organizer who is now in prison with a chronic heart condition and an eye condition requiring immediate surgery.

Enter US Teamster’s president, James Hoffa who calls on Iran to release the union men base, in part on Iran’s membership in the International Labor Organization that binds them to core principals the detainments have violated.

More resolution below…

Sponsor:  Rep. Mark S. Kirk (IL-10^th)

Vote: Passed House 418 to 1 with 1 voting 'Present'  RC 929 October 2, 2007

Cost to the taxpayers: No discernible cost.

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MORE INFORMATION

Whereas, on April 9, 2007, Iranian agents arrested and imprisoned Mahmoud Salehi, founder of the Saghez Bakery Workers Association;

Whereas Salehi's life is in grave danger as he sits in the Sanandaj prisons without access to kidney dialysis treatment;

Whereas, on July 10, 2007, plainclothes Iranian agents severely beat and arrested Mansour Osanloo, president of the Syndicate of Workers of Tehran and Suburbs (Vahed);

Whereas Osanloo now sits in Iran's notorious Evin prison with a chronic heart condition and a serious eye condition that requires immediate surgery;

Whereas Osanloo has no access to medical or legal assistance and no contact with his family;

Whereas, on August 9, 2007, Teamsters General President James P. Hoffa called on Iran to immediately release Osanloo and Salehi;

Whereas, on August 9, 2007, the International Trade Union Confederation, together with the International Transport Workers' Federation, staged an international day of action to free Osanloo and Salehi;

Whereas Iran is a member of the International Labor Organization (ILO) and is legally bound to respect ILO core principles, including freedom of association;

Whereas Freedom House reported in 2006 that `Iranian law does not allow independent labor unions to exist'; and

Whereas the United States remains the leading voice in the world for international workers' rights and labor standards: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), That Congress--

(1) condemns the Government of Iran for the arrest and imprisonment of Iranian union leaders Mahmoud Salehi and Mansour Osanloo and demands their immediate release; and

(2) expresses its solidarity with the workers of Iran and stands with them in their effort to bring political freedom and individual liberty to Iran.

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