Union rights are human rights in Iran
Iran has become a focal point for trade unionists worldwide. Its workers are on the front line of the struggle for labour rights, economic justice, and democratic freedoms. In recent years, Iranian workers have mounted some of the most sustained and courageous labour actions anywhere in the world, often in the face of violent repression.
In June 2025, a nationwide strike led by the Truckers and Drivers Union spread to more than 163 cities across Iran, protesting low wages, soaring insurance costs, and changes to fuel subsidies. The sheer scale of the strike signalled a weakening grip of the state over its working class. However, at least 40 drivers and supporters were arrested and detained.
By late 2025, the situation had intensified. The International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) condemned Iran’s “brutal repression” of workers. Inflation, currency collapse, and the growth of precarious work pushed millions into poverty, with women and children disproportionately affected. These conditions represent serious violations of workers’ rights and have fuelled further strikes and protests.
The human cost has been profound. As of April 2025, at least 19 labour activists remained imprisoned, and one female labour advocate faced possible execution. More than 2,000 workers had died in the previous year due to unsafe working conditions, a shocking indicator of systemic neglect.
Civil servants in Iran operate under extremely restrictive labour conditions, as independent trade unions are effectively banned and public sector workers face severe limits on freedom of association. Civil servants who attempt to organise or participate in peaceful labour actions are frequently met with harassment, arrest, and prosecution. Human rights reports from 2024–2025 highlight that Iranian authorities continue to criminalise union activity, with activists detained, tortured, or subjected to unfair trials for advocating basic labour rights. These restrictions persist despite Iran’s membership of the International Labour Organisation, whose conventions guarantee the right to organise and collectively bargain — rights that Iranian civil servants are denied.
For trade union members, Iran’s struggle is a reminder that workers’ rights are inseparable from human rights. Solidarity with Iranian workers strengthens the global trade union movement and reinforces the principle that no worker should face imprisonment, poverty, or death for demanding dignity and fair treatment.