On March 6, 2008, thousands of workers raised their voices in a Global Day of Action to demand the release of imprisoned Iranian union leaders Mansour Osanloo and Mahmoud Salehi, as well as respect for worker rights in Iran.

The event, organized by the International Trade Union Confederation, the International Transport Workers' Federation, and Amnesty International UK, consisted of simultaneous actions in Australia, Japan, Korea, Thailand, Indonesia, India, Turkey, Iraq, Amman, Palestine, Tunisia, Morocco, Switzerland, Belgium, Norway, Great Britain, and Canada. Protestors visited their regional Iranian missions carrying the message that Iranian authorities must not obstruct the Iranian labor movement and imprison trade unionists for their union activities. They also expressed extreme concern for the deteriorating health condition of both prisoners.

The International Labor Organization instructed the government in June 2007 to take "all measures to ensure that trade unions can be formed and function without hindrance, including through the de facto recognition of the union."

In the buildup to the Global Day of Action, ITF inspectors in several countries boarded Iranian vessels at ports, carrying their message. The online global labor news source LabourStart gathered more than 5,000 signatures via an online petition, and numerous global unions issued letters of protest. The global unions vowed to take the message to the Iranian government until the men are free and worker rights in Iran are respected.

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