The day before International Worker's Day, head of Iran's Workers House announced that the ministry of interior has refrained from responding to two applications from the official labour organization to mark May Day.
ILNA reports that Alireza Mahjoub, head of Workers House announced on April 30 that they have rendered two separate applications to the interior ministry to organize a parade in Tehran’s main streets on the occasion of International Worker's Day but so far both these applications remain without response.
The last Workers Day parade in Iran was in 2007 and since then the ministry of interior has refused to allow an open parade and May Day celebrations have been marked in confined spaces.
Meanwhile Sanandaj Intelligence Ministry office has been cracking down on union members and labour activists in Kurdistan in the days leading to the International Workers Day.
The Coordination Committee for Support of Labour Organizations announced that the Sanandaj intelligence ministry office has forbidden any form of gathering on the occasion of May Day and has warned workers that people marking the day will be arrested.
Khalil Karimi, Koroush Nakhshandeh and Fardin Miraki are amongst the activists that have so far been summoned by the ministry and warned against activities on this day.
In the meantime labour protests continue in various parts of Iran against rising layoffs and delayed wage payments.
