Workers of the National Iranian Steel Industrial Group in Ahvaz and contract workers in the Pars Special Economic Energy Zone in Asaluyeh held protest gatherings in Iran.
On Wednesday, September 17, workers of the National Iranian Steel Industrial Group in Ahvaz continued their labor protests for the fifth consecutive day. Contract workers in the Pars Special Economic Energy Zone in Asaluyeh also demanded the fulfillment of their labor rights on the same day.
For the fifth day, workers of the National Iranian Steel Industrial Group in Ahvaz staged a protest in front of the assembly hall of the factory, demanding the fulfillment of their labor rights.
They protested against the non-payment of two months’ wages, the sudden and unjustified reduction of overtime pay, the suspension of meal services, and the failure to register their work as part of the official record of employment in hazardous jobs. They also demanded access to supplementary health insurance.
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The Free Union of Iranian Workers stated that the production level at the National Iranian Steel Industrial Group has declined, workers are deeply worried about the company’s future, and they emphasized the urgent need to restart production lines and ensure transparency in the company’s management.
On Tuesday, September 16, the state-run ILNA news agency reported that the company was facing “cash flow problems.”
This news agency, affiliated with the “House of Workers” labor organization, quoted “an informed labor source” as saying that the National Iranian Steel Industrial Group is “operating at about 10% capacity, and it seems this problem will continue into the autumn.”
After widespread worker protests against the privatization of the company between 2017 and 2018, the National Iranian Steel Industrial Group was ultimately handed over to Bank Melli Iran.
Since then, workers at this major industrial complex have continued to protest over labor-related issues.
Meanwhile, on Wednesday, state-run ILNA reported that the company’s CEO recently sent a letter urging workers to “be patient,” attributing the non-payment of “last month’s wages” to a “lack of liquidity.”
Protest gathering of subcontract workers in Asaluyeh
The Free Union of Iranian Workers reported that subcontract workers in the Pars Special Economic Energy Zone in Asaluyeh staged a protest demanding their labor rights.
Their main demands include the elimination of subcontracting companies, equalization of wages and benefits with official employees, and the signing of direct employment contracts.
According to ILNA, the protesters stressed that “eliminating subcontracting intermediaries can lead to improved working conditions, increased satisfaction, and enhanced productivity.”
The report noted that tens of thousands of contract workers in the National Iranian Oil Company, who “work under severe discrimination and livelihood pressures, have for years demanded the elimination of subcontracting companies. However, the government and parliament, in cooperation with major subcontractors who are themselves oil company managers tied to regime institutions and semi-state entities benefiting from favoritism, repeatedly avoid eliminating subcontracting by making empty promises and dragging the issue into bureaucratic procedures.”
In recent years, contract workers in various sectors across Iran have demanded the elimination of subcontracting companies and the signing of direct employment contracts.
