Reporting by PMOI/MEK
Iran, June 10, 2021—Science and experience show that economic growth and development is predicated on freeing the economy from political tyranny. Unfortunately, in Iran, the people have been deprived from their country’s rich resources and wealth because of the policies of the ruling regime and the repressive Revolutionary Guards (IRGC).
This is why, despite the environment of repression, protests continue to erupt in every corner of Iran by communities who are fed up with the corruption and poverty that is plaguing the country.
On Wednesday, June 9, landowners in the city of Pardis, northeast Tehran, again held a rally in front of the regime's judiciary. They are demanding their purchased lands to be delivered to them.
These lands have been the subject of tension between the owners and government-backed companies for years. The lands were registered under their owners’ names according to the regime’s own laws and the orders of the judiciary. But despite years of following up on the issue, the judiciary refrains from ordering the Pardis Construction company from delivering the lands to its true owners.
250 workers of Mahshahr Pipe Mill Co. were expelled and are facing difficulties and barely can make ends meet. The decision has triggered a wave of protests by the workers of this company, who gathered in front of the provincial governor’s office on Wednesday to demand the settlement of their work status.
One of the workers said, “This company used to be without rival in the Middle East, and during the [Iran-Iraq] war… In the early 2000s, it was transferred to a private owner that had no knowledge of the matter. As a result, the conditions of the factory became worse every day. Different parts of the factory were shut down and in some parts, only 25 workers remained… Today, there are only 25 workers who have more than 10 years experience, and they receive their salaries every three or four months.”
Fereydoon Bandari, the governor of Mahshahr, deceptively tried to shrug off any responsibility and said, “Factory executives have blame the situation on a decline in sales. But the adjustment plan to reduce the number of workers must be done with caution.” This effectively means that local officials will do nothing to help alleviate the pressure from the unemployed workers.
Protest by Mahshahr pipeline workers
On Monday, June 8, a group of Water and Wastewater workers in the city of Izeh, southwest Iran, held a rally protesting one-year delayed payments and the lack of accountability and officials’ silence and refusal to follow-up their demands.
These workers have been regularly protesting delayed payments and uncertain work contracts. The workers are demanding local authorities to take action and help improve their work conditions. But the officials have only neglected their demands.
The workers also face insurance problems and the company has refrained from paying premiums to the social security organization on their behalf.
Protest by Water and Wastewater company workers in Izeh
Rice farmers in Khuzestan province held a protest rally in front of the Ahvaz governor's office on Tuesday, June 8, to demand their rights. They are demanding the right of irrigation for their lands.
The government is imposing restrictions on the cultivation of rice due to water shortage problems. Meanwhile, it is doing nothing to slash government projects that are wasting the province’s water sources on non-agriculture related issues.
The situation has faced the farmers, whose only source of income is rice cultivation, with severe problems to run their lives.
Members of the Islamic Council of Tehran Bus Company held a protest rally against officials’ refusal to implement job classification plan in front of the Tehran City Council on Tuesday.
In Mahshahr, the workers of the Persian Gulf Holding of Mahshahr Port Special Economic Zone protested the type of their contracts on Tuesday for the second consecutive day.
The protesters demanded the company to adhere the provisions of the contract concluded with the Petrochemical Company and lift the ban on permanent transfers to other oil subsidiaries.
They also want an end to discrimination at work.
