In response to correspondence from the Confederation of Iranian Labor – Abroad, the Secretary General of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC), while expressing deep sorrow over the tragic explosion at the Madanjui coal mine in Tabas and sympathizing with the families of the victims, emphasized that Iran has signed international conventions on workplace safety. The government is obliged to align its domestic laws and policies with these conventions and regularly report its progress.
In reaction to the explosion at the Madanjui coal mine in Tabas, the Confederation of Iranian Labor – Abroad, through its correspondence with international labor unions and organizations, had called for an immediate response and efforts towards independent investigations to clarify the causes of this disaster. In this letter, the Confederation pointed out Iran’s commitments under the International Labour Organization (ILO) conventions, which obligate the government to improve workplace safety and health standards. However, it criticized the government’s failure to fulfill these commitments and deemed the current ILO supervision insufficient to protect workers’ lives.
The Confederation of Iranian Labor – Abroad has called for the formation of an international investigative committee in cooperation with the UN Human Rights Council to uncover the truth regarding the failure to comply with worker safety standards in Iran. Additionally, the Confederation demanded the expulsion of the Islamic Republic of Iran from the ILO and the recognition of independent labor unions in Iran.
In response to this correspondence, Luca Visentini, the Secretary General of the International Trade Union Confederation, emphasized that the ITUC is coordinating with other global labor organizations to address the widespread violations of workers’ and labor unions’ rights in Iran. The ITUC Secretary General stressed the need for independent and comprehensive information on the government’s follow-up on the Tabas explosion and the steps taken to implement workplace safety and health conventions. He noted that such information is critical for the ITUC’s ongoing efforts to monitor and hold the Iranian government accountable.
The international labor community’s attention is now focused on Iran, and labor unions and global organizations are striving to enhance safety standards, transparency, and the recognition of independent labor unions.
Response from General Secretary of the International Trade Union Confederation:
Thank you for the information you have shared with us. The ITUC deplore the tragic accident at Tabas mine and I share deeply the grief of the families of the deceased mining workers. Indeed Iran ratified C155 occupational safety and health convention last year. The government is obliged to bring domestic laws and policies in line with the convention and report progress to the ILO.
The ITUC is working with our affiliates and the Global Union Federations for a coordinated approach on the human and trade union rights violations, including occupational safety and health in Iran. Independent and comprehensive information on the government’s follow up on the Tabas explosion and the steps taken to enforce C155 will be essential to enable our continuous monitoring.
In Solidarity
LUC TRIANGLE
General Secretary
