Reporting by PMOI/MEK
Iran, August 17, 2020—Workers in Iran’s oil, natural gas and petrochemical industries and power plants in 23 cities across 12 provinces continued their nationwide strikes and protests for the sixteenth consecutive day on Sunday, August 16. These cities are: Mashhad, Tabriz, Abadan, Ahvaz, Mahshahr, Isfahan, Ardabil, Khorramshahr, Urmia, Heris, Mehran, Ilam, Bandar-e Kangan, Asaluyeh, Tonbak, Shirvan, Hoveyzeh, Dashte Azadeghan, Lamerd, Mohr(southern Iran), Iranshahr, Zarandieh, and Qeshm.
The protesting workers are demanding the following:
- Regular and in time payment of wages
- Insurance premiums and other job benefits
- Cessation of dismissing workers and layoffs
- Reduction of working hours
- Bank facilities
- Dismissal of corrupt contractors
- Allowing the formation of labor unions
- A legal supervisory board.
Employers and contractors are trying to persuade workers to end the strike and return to work by any means and by making various hollow promises.
Fearing the continuation and spread of the strikes, officials and contractors affiliated with Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) and other regime agencies have attempted to get workers back to work by making hollow promises to end the nationwide strike. However, the workers, maintaining unity and solidarity, are insisting on continuing the strike in 54 focal locations until all their demands are fully met.
Protests by contract teachers across Iran
Protests by Iranian teachers
On Sunday, August 16, contract teachers from all over the country gathered in front of the mullahs’ Majlis (parliament).
The large crowd of protesting teachers terrified the Majlis members and one MP acknowledged that three groups had gathered outside the Majlis on Sunday. In their protest rally contract teachers demanded official employment and their requests being fulfilled. Teachers from the provinces of Tehran, Qazvin, Alborz, Qom, Razavi Khorasan, Khuzestan and some others participated in this gathering.
Railway workers continue strikes in several cities
On Sunday, railway workers on strike in various cities, including Tehran and Mashhad, and HEPCO Arak Company workers held a protest rally for the 16th consecutive day. Workers at the Haft Tappeh Sugarcane Agro-Industry Co. also continued their strike for the 63rd day.
On Saturday, handicapped individuals in the city of Abadan protested the confiscation of the entrepreneurial building, which was prepared by their own. People in the city of Jarahi gathered to protest the employment of non-locals in the security and services department of Mahshahr Oil Hospital.
The people of Sari, a city in northern Iran, also gathered to protest the construction of the Finesk Dam on Tajan River, which seeks to destroy the environment, and to protest the mullahs’ anti-Iranian policies.
Haft Tappeh Sugarcane Agro-Industry Co. workers continue their strike
2Strikes by workers of Haft Tappeh sugar cane company
Meanwhile, in Khuzestan province, the workers of Haft Tappeh continued their protest rally in front of the governorate of Shush, which marked its 63rd day on Saturday.
At this gathering, workers stressed the need to unite and continue the strike until their demands are met.
The most important issues raised in the workers’ demands workers in this strike are as follows:
- Immediate payment of delayed paychecks and renewal of insurance booklet
- Immediate return to work for fired colleagues
- Immediate arrest of Omid Assadbeigi (CEO of the Haft Tappeh Sugarcane AgroIndustrial Complex) and life imprisonment
- Immediate dismissal of corrupt employers from the Haft Tappeh
- Immediate return of embezzled wealth to workers
- Ending the careers of already retired managers
Protests by workers of Haft Tappeh sugar cane factory
