Pointing to the clerical regime's record in the past 20 years, Mr. Rajavi said: Iran's workers and toilers have to endure the horrific impact of anti-labor and unpopular policies of this regime, manifested in the closure of factories, destruction of industries and in increasing poverty, inflation and deprivation of workers' families of the most basic means of subsistence.
NCR President added: As May Day is marked across the world, Iranian workers have come face-to-face with the adoption of the bill stipulating that labor laws do not apply to small workshops. This bill runs counter to all international laws and conventions on workers' rights and will result in greater violation of the rights of Iranian workers.
He called on all relevant international bodies to undertake urgent measures to condemn this anti-labor law. He also underscored the need to adopt necessary measures - such as trade sanctions - to punish the mullahs' ruling Iran for persistent abuse of workers' rights.
Mr. Rajavi said: Through their continuing protests in 1998, Iran's workers and toiling masses rejected this oppressive regime, its schemes and maneuvers, demonstrating once again that the Iranian people consider Khatami's maneuvers as worthless. Last year, the number of workers' strikes and protests reached 230, nearly a four-fold rise compared to 1997.
In conclusion, Mr. Rajavi referred to NCR's plans on the rights of workers and toilers, reiterating that with the overthrow of the ruling mullahs and the establishment of freedom and the people's sovereignty, the just rights of Iranian workers and toilers will be restored according to these programs.
Secretariat of the National Council of Resistance of Iran
May 1, 1999
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