Concluding observation Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights
E/C.12/IRN/CO/2 para 15
Full recommendation:
The Committee recommends that the State party take steps to ensure that independent trade
unions can be formed and carry out their activities without interference, including unions of
teachers, bus workers and sugar-cane workers, as well as the Iran Free Workers’ Union. It
recommends that the State party ensure that workers can participate in strikes without facing
reprisals. The Committee also calls upon the State party to immediately release labour rights
activists and members of independent trade unions currently serving prison sentences who acted
in conformity with internationally recognized trade union standards.
Assessment using Impact Iran human rights indicators.1
A. The Committee recommends that the Islamic Republic of Iran take steps to ensure
that independent trade unions can be formed and carry out their activities without
interference, including unions of teachers, bus workers and sugar-cane workers, as
well as the Iran Free Workers’ Union.
The Constitution, under article 26, permits freedom of association, yet does not elaborate on the
specifics of this, outside of mentioning that “political parties, associations and trade unions,
Islamic associations, or associations of the recognized religious minorities are free to exist on the
condition that they do not negate the principles of independence, freedom, national unity, Islamic
criterion, and the foundation of the Islamic Republic.”2
Articles 130 and 131 of the Labor Law allow workers in various manufacturing, service,
industrial, etc. occupations to form "Islamic Associations" in their workplaces to defend workers'
rights, which are defined in the Labor Law.3
The law on the Formation of Islamic Labor Councils is another law that is in force in the field of
workers unions and associations. However, the difficult process of setting up these councils and
the Ministry of Labor's oversight of the approval of candidates for these councils, as well as the
1
ESCR.8.1.S.1
ESCR.8.1.P.1
ESCR.8.1.S.14 ESCR.8.1.P.18 ESCR.8.1.O.5
ESCR.8.1.O.2 ESCR.8.1.O.22
2
The Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Iran, English translation, https://irandataportal.syr.edu/wpcontent/uploads/constitution-english-1368.pdf
3 https://shenasname.ir/laws/kar/1017
1