In late 2000 one of the exiled leaders of the Independent Workers' Association of Iran (IWAI) approached a number of opposition activists about setting up a campaign in defence of the new wave of activities and struggles taking place in the Iranian labour movement.
This approach was based on the support that these activists had mobilised in defence of the Independent Trade Union of Iranian Workers (ITUIW) - IWAI's predecessor - when it was set up on May Day 1997.
Iranian Workers' Solidarity Network (IWSN) formally began its activities on 15 May 2001. It has been involved in supporting various independent labour committees in Iran, including Committee for the Pursuit of the Creation of Free Labour Organisations, Co-ordination Committee for the Creation of Labour Organisations, Workers' Cultural and Support Organisation, the Union of Labour Committees and the Co-operation Council of Labour Organisations and Activists.
We have been active in defending the workers' right to strike, the right to form independent trade unions and labour organisations and the right to elect their genuine representatives.
IWSN's campaigns have included defending the 'Saghez seven,' the Iran Khodro auto workers, the Vahed bus drivers and their leader Mansour Osanloo.
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