Sepideh Gholiyan, a civil activist who was arrested during the Haft Tapeh workers’ protests, was released by providing a 500 million Tomans bail.
According to the Campaign for the Defense of Political and Civil Prisoners, this afternoon, on Tuesday, December 18th, 2018, Sepideh Gholiyan, a civil activist from Ahvaz who was detained in connection with the protests of Haft Tapeh Sugar Cane workers, was temporary released on 500 million Tomans bail until her trial.
Since November 5th, 2018, The Haft Tapeh Sugar Cane workers have been having protests and gatherings around the city and in front of the Shush government office, calling for the company to be transferred back to the public sector, for the release of imprisoned workers, and payment of their wage.
So far, many human rights activists and various institutions have issued statements calling for the release of these detainees and supporting the protests of these workers.
One can mention the statement by the Iranian Writers Association and Tehran Teachers Association, as well as the statement of 25 lawyer lawyers.
Protest workers argue that there are only two ways to resolve this crisis: “First, the Haft Tapeh must be run by a self-governing labor movement, or, if the government manages it, all things must be under the control of the workers’ council.”
Haft Tapeh workers’ protests have intensified since November 5th, 2018, during which a large number of labor activists were arrested or summoned. Some have been released on bail.
The Haft Tapeh Sugar Cane Industry Complex was handed to two private companies, Zenus and Ariak, in 2015. Since then, the workers have protested more than 300 times.