The ongoing crisis of unpaid workers’ wages in contracted projects has once again made headlines at Makran Steel in Chabahar. A number of workers at the company say they have not received any wages for nine months and are enduring difficult conditions without legal support or transparent responses from management. This situation has placed a heavy burden on workers’ families and pushed many to the brink of economic collapse.
According to a report published by local media outlets in the region on Thursday, May 28, a group of workers at Makran Steel in Chabahar reported that their outstanding wages remain unpaid. The company operates across from the fuel station on the Konarak Road along the Chabahar route and is active in the electrical sector. The project’s contractor has been identified as Savan Sanat Company.
The workers say their wages have not been paid since last July. They have repeatedly contacted company officials and followed up on their claims but have received no results. According to the workers, project managers have offered only repeated promises and have continuously postponed wage payments.
The issue of unpaid workers’ wages in this project has now become a serious crisis. According to reports, 13 workers remain on the company’s official payroll, yet they have not received even one month’s wages during the past nine months. The workers emphasize that they have received neither a clear explanation about the project’s financial situation nor a specific timeline for the payment of their claims.
Unpaid Wages and Severe Economic Pressure
Makran Steel workers say they have faced extensive financial difficulties during this period. The costs of rent, healthcare, food, and their children’s education have placed their lives under severe strain.
According to the workers, part of the project’s financial obligations has already been paid by the employer to the contractor, but workers’ wages remain unresolved. This issue has increased workers’ frustration and concern and raised serious questions about the management of the project’s financial resources.
The workers also describe an insecure working environment at the project. They say fear of dismissal and the lack of effective legal protections have eliminated the possibility of openly protesting. Many workers feel compelled to remain silent to avoid losing even their unstable jobs.
Contracting Projects and the Recurring Crisis of Unpaid Workers’ Wages
What has occurred at Makran Steel in Chabahar is an example of the broader situation facing workers in contracted projects across Sistan and Baluchestan Province. In recent years, numerous reports have documented lengthy delays in wage payments. Baluch workers in many projects face temporary contracts, inadequate insurance coverage, and difficult working conditions.
Labor activists say the contracting structure used in many projects has created conditions that facilitate violations of workers’ rights. Under such circumstances, workers have very limited ability to pursue their claims and often choose to endure harsh conditions rather than face unemployment.
The crisis of unpaid workers’ wages in Chabahar continues as inflation and rising living costs have further intensified economic pressures. Many working-class families are now facing severe livelihood challenges, and the continuation of this situation could have far-reaching social consequences.
