The following text is a draft for the new Solidarity Committee. We’re making it available as a suggestion, and will pass on revised versions approved by the Committee.
This [branch/committee/other body] notes the ongoing uprising in Iran, sparked by protests against the death of Mahsa Amini, foregrounding issues of women’s rights and opposition to compulsory hijab, but also raising general issues of social freedom and economic inequality.
This [body] further notes that several strikes have taken place during the uprising, including at the Abedan oil refinery, the Haft Tappeh sugar cane factory, and many other workplaces. Despite decades of repression, Iran’s workers have maintained underground organisation and traditions of militant action.
Tihs [body] further notes the recent establishment of the Solidarity with the Iranian Workers’ Movement Committee, chaired by John McDonnell MP.
This [body] believes international solidarity with all working-class and democratic struggles for freedom is a core labour movement principle, and supports the struggles of Iran’s workers, women, and youth against the Islamic Republic.
This [body] therefore resolves:
– To support the work of the Solidarity with the Iranian Workers’ Movement Committee, circulate its materials to members, and invite a speaker from the committee to a future meeting
– To promote local mobilisations in support of the uprising in Iran to members, and organise a distinct, visible trade union presence on such mobilisations
– To submit this motion to [relevant higher/national body within union] to mobilise support at [regional/national] level
– To specifically support workers’ struggles in our sector in Iran, and aim to make direct links with the workers involved if possible
– To request that the national union audits whether we organise workers at companies or in supply chains that have economic interests in Iran or ties to the Islamic Republic, to establish whether action by our members could directly aid workers’ struggles in Iran