Category: Labor and Guilds

HRANA Recap: This Week’s Protests in Iran

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Labor and Guilds, News
Haft Tappeh, Kaab Amir, protests, Shiraz, Tehran, weekly recap
According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, a number of protests took place this week in Iran, many of which were continuations of ongoing movements.  Read our recap below for details, photos, and videos from the demonstrations.

Saturday, November 27 

A number of seasonal workers at the Haft-Tappeh Sugarcane Agro-Industry Company assembled today in Shush City, first before the Ministry of Cooperatives, Labour, and Social Welfare and then in front of the Governorate building. Their demands regarded issues with their contracts. Last Thursday, this group of workers assembled in front of the office of Parliament member Kaab Amir.

A group of personnel at Distribution Electrical Company in Golestan Province assembled in front of their company’s building, asking for permanent, official employment rather than their current temporary agreement.

Workers at petrochemical company Fajr assembled before the company entrance to protest against an increase in working hours. Reportedly, shift hours were increased from 8 to 12 without workers’ consent. According to labour code, shifts longer than 12 hours are forbidden. 

Nurses and other personnel at the Ministry of Health assembled in front of the Planning and Budget Organization building to ask for the implementation of an “extra payment plan”, a reduction in taxes, and a pay raise. Despite being enacted in 2014 by Parliament, the “extra payment plan”, has not yet been put into action after seven years.

Injured veterans of the Iran-Iraq War assembled in front of the Foundation of Martyrs and Veterans Affairs in Tehran to protest against poor living conditions.

The victims of Fardadkar Amitis Company, who lost their money due to fraudulent acts by the investment company, protested before the Qoddoosi Courthouse in Tehran. About ten thousand victims have lost a combined 2500 billion tomansb (594,887,500 USD). The protesters asked to move the case from the Qoddoosi Courthouse to the Economic Crimes Court and the Branch of Economic Corruption of the Revolutionary Court.

A group of farmers in Bavy County protested for their water allocation for fall cultivation. They assembled before the Karun Irrigation Company, Eastern Lands in Ahvaz City. Despite promises, two months have passed without farmers receiving water allocation. 

A group of physicians and medical graduates working in the government sector assembled before the Medical Sciences Building in Yazd City. They protested against unfair salary calculation methods and heavy taxes.

Sunday, November 28

Families of the victims of Ukrainian International Airlines Flight 752 marched on the Military Courthouse where the trial of low-ranking military officers is being held. The assembly was on surveilled by many security agents. In the early hours of January 8, 2020, Flight 752 was hit by a missile sent by regime military forces. After a few days of covering up the cause of this incident, the regime admitted that the plane was hit by a missile shot from an anti-missile defense base.

 

Several families with children with SMA (Spinal Muscular Atrophy) assembled in front of the Parliament building in Tehran to ask that their children’s medicine, necessary to treat SMA, be imported.

A group of retirees of Haft-Tappeh Sugarcane Agro-Industry Company assembled at the entrance of the factory. They claimed that the years of service payment is lower than dictated by labour law.

Retirees using the Fulad Company pension fund assembled in front of pension fund offices in the cities of Ahvaz and Isfahan. They asked for a raise in pensions in order to stay above the poverty line, as well as the elimination of pension disparities and issues with supplementary insurance.

A number of truck drivers in Sarbaz County, Sistan and Baluchestan Province, assembled in front of the governorate building to protest against a cut on fuel rations. They said that fuel rations for their trucks have been cut without compelling reason.

Monday, November 29

A number of retirees of airline company Homa assembled in front of Homa’s pension fund offices. They protested against delays in payments and the merger of Homa’s pension fund with the national pension fund.

In Bandar Mahshahr, a number of jobseekers assembled before the refinery tanks of the Persian Gulf Bidboland Gas Refining Company. They protested the company recruitment policy, which discriminates against native workers.

Tuesday, November 30

A number of the victims of financial frauds from financial institution Caspian assembled in front of the judiciary building in Tehran to demand the return of their investment, including profits and loss.

 

A number of residents in a nomadic area known as “Sargachineh” in Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad Province protested in front of the provincial governorate building. Residents said that 57 hectares of land have been unlawfully assigned to one person who is not even a native of this area.

For the third consecutive day, families of children with SMA assembled in front of the parliament in Tehran to ask for the import of required medicine for their children.

A number of seasonal workers of Haft Tappeh Sugarcane Agro-Industry Company assembled at company premises. They had been protesting for several consecutive days to demand that their contract issues be addressed.

Technical workers from various districts assembled at their workplace, Distribution Electrical Company of Tehran, to ask for permanent employment contracts. One of the workers said that many of workers have not been offered a permanent contract after 20 years.

Municipal workers in Khorramshahr City assembled in front of the governorate building to protest against a four-month delay in payments.

Dozens of workers of three copper mining companies in Varzeqan City assembled on company premises. Reportedly, these workers protested against the return of four fired managers.

 

Workers at two companies that are contracting for Petrochemical Company Apadana in Asaluyeh City went on strike to protest against the employers, who failed to keep promises regarding workers’ demands.

The teachers and educators from the Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad, Fars, Qom and Khuzestan provinces went on strike and assembled before the buildings of the ministry of education in each province. These teachers demanded the implementation of a plan, which has already been enacted in the parliament and whereby teachers’ income will be raised in accordance with a ranking

Wednesday, December 1

About 120 retired workers of Haft-Tappeh Sugarcane Agro-Industry Company assembled before the company entrance to protested a miscalculation in benefits.

For the fourth consecutive day, dozens of families with children with SMA assembled in front of parliament in Tehran to ask for the import of required medicine for their children. During this assembly, President Raisi appeared and promised to address this issue in a meeting with that included three representatives from the families.

 

Municipal service workers and gardeners in Kish protested before the building of the Kish Free Zone Organization to protest against low wages and benefits.

 

For the second consecutive day, educators in Qom City assembled before the  provincial Ministry of Education to ask for the implementation of a plan that, though passed by the parliament, have not yet been enacted.

Several retired and working school teachers in Shiraz City went on strike to demand implementation of the afore-mentioned plan.

For the second consecutive day, a number of workers of three copper mining companies in Varzeqan City assembled on company premises.

Thursday, December 2

In response to a call by the Coordination Council of Iranian Teachers’ Trade Associations, retired and working educators in 73 cities across the country assembled in front of the building of the Ministry of Education (or, in Tehran, Parliament) in each city. They demanded the implementation of a plan already enacted by Parliament whereby teachers’ income will be raised in accordance with a ranking.

In Qom City, a number of farmers assembled before a production cooperative company to ask for their water portion. They also protested against heavy fines for unauthorized withdrawals from wells.

For the third consecutive day, dozens of workers at three copper mining companies in Varzeqan City went on a strike and assembled at their company premises.

 

Two Workers Killed, One Severely Injured Due to Unsafe Workplace Conditions

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Labor and Guilds, News
Ahmad Sheybani, Bandar Lengeh, fishing, labor rights, manufacturing, Qom, unsafe workplace conditions, workplace accident, workplace conditions

On December 2, two workplace accidents in Qom and Bandar Lengeh cities left two workers dead and one severely injured.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting Tasnim News Agency, a lift inside a food production factory based in Qom City malfunctioned and fell, leading to the death of a female worker inside.

“Following this accident, the judiciary ordered closure of the factory until safety deficiencies are fixed,” the Director-General of Cooperatives, Labor and Social Welfare of Qom City commented.

The same day, two fishermen in Bandar Lengeh City died after four fishing boats caught fire.

“Around 13:30, in a wharf, due to a technical problem in the engine, a fishing boat caught on fire and the fire spread to three adjacent boats. In this accident, a fisherman lost his life and another was severely injured,” commented Bandar Lengeh’s governor, Ahmad Sheybani.

Sattar Rezai Arrested by Security Forces in Isfahan

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Labor and Guilds, News
Activist arrested, Isfahan, Sattar Rezai, worker's rights

Late on December 1, worker’s rights activist Sattar Rezai was arrested by security forces and transferred to an unidentified location.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting the Independent Iranian Workers Union (IIWU), security forces arrested Rezai at his father’s house in Isfahan.  About 10 to 12 undercover agents were involved in the nighttime raid.

The reason for his arrest and his current whereabouts are unknown at the time of writing.

Mass Layoff: About 330 Workers Laid Off in Two Factories

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Labor and Guilds, News
Azim Khodro, Borujerd, Iran-Mayeh Tabriz

Approximately 330 workers—150 workers at Iran-Mayeh Tabriz and 180 workers at Azim Khodro—have been laid off. Both mass layoffs appear to be the result of factory closure.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting ILNA, Iran-Mayeh Tabriz has been shut down since early spring. The yeast manufacturing plant, owned by a Turkish investor, laid off approximately 150 workers over the course of several months.

“In December 2020, about 40 workers were laid off with the promise of getting back to work after relaunching the pertinent factory unit”, commented one of the laid-off workers. “Not only [did] that never [happen], but they also laid off the rest of 110 workers on March 12, 2021”.

He added: “To dissuade us from filing a complaint to the labour office, they paid two months wages and promised that they [would] reopen the factory within six months. During this time, some workers, under financial pressure, left this job either to get unemployment benefits or find another job. However, about 27 workers complained to the Ministry of Labour. [The Ministry] ordered employee retention and the continuation of wage payments. Nonetheless, despite this order to get back to work, the company hasn’t allowed us to go into work. They [told us] to get our wages, but not to come to the factory”.

At Azim Khodro, a car manufacturer in Borujerd City, 180 workers have been laid off due to factory closure. Due to legal issues, courts have prohibited the owner from running the factory. As a result, workers have not been paid for seven months.

One Kolbar Killed, Another Injured by Regime’s Military Forces

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Labor and Guilds, News
Adel Alipur, Baneh, Baneh City, Kolbar, kolbar killed border forces, Yaser Aminpur

On Tuesday, November 30, regime military forces at the border near Baneh City shot two kolbars (cross-border carriers), killing one and injuring the other. 

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting Kurdistan Press Agency (Kurdpa), Adel Alipur, a resident of the village Sarsool in Baneh County was shot and killed. Today, December 1st, Alipur’s body was buried in his village.

Yaser Aminpur, also of Sarsool, was severely injured in the foot and has been hospitalized in Baneh City.

Many poor people living in border areas work as kolbars to make ends meet. This work is illegal and involves carrying loads on foot across national borders. Yearly, dozens of kolbars are injured and killed from accidents, dangerous conditions, and border guard shootings.

HRANA’s annual human rights report has specifically documented cases in which military forces’ use of live ammunition against citizens has led to their injury or death. According to the 2020 report, beyond material damages— such as loss of pack animals due to road accidents, frost, or avalanche— 36 kolbars have been shot dead, and 109 have been injured by military forces and border guards. In this year, five kolbars lost their lives and five were injured due to freezing cold weather or falling from high.

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Two Workers Killed Due to Unsafe Workplace Conditions in Zanjan and Mahabad

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Labor and Guilds, News
ILNA, Jafari Roohi, Mahabad, Mahabad Cities, Mahabad City, Roohi, workplace safety, zanjan, Zanjan City

On Saturday, November 27 and Sunday, November 28th,  two workers lost their lives in workplace accidents in Mahabad and Zanjan cities, respectively.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting Rokna news, on Sunday, November 28,  a worker was killed in an explosion at a welding workshop in Zanjan City. Jafari Roohi, head of Zanjan’s Emergency Medical Center, commented on the incident.

“Two ambulances were dispatched to the spot. The injured man, 30 years old, had been killed right after the explosion,” Roohi said. He added that the victim died due to the explosion of a gas tank in a welding workshop.

In Mahabad, according to ILNA, a construction worker fell from the third floor of an under-construction building and lost his life.

“Today, a-31 year-old worker who was concreting a column construction fell from the third floor and died immediately,” the Mahabad Chief of Police commented.

Iran ranks 102nd in workplace safety among 189 countries.

 

HRANA Recap: This Week’s Protests in Iran

Posted on by Editor
Freedom of Expression, Labor and Guilds, News
Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari Province, East Azerbaijan, Gilan, Golestan, Haft Tapeh Sugarcane Agro-Business, Haft Tappeh, Haft Tappeh Sigarcane Agro-Industry Company, Iran international General Contractor Company, Isfahan, Jam Country, Khuzestan, Ministry of Health, Shahrkhodro, Sirjan, Zahedan University
According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, a number of protests took place this week in Iran, many of which were continuations of ongoing movements.  Read our recap below for details, photos, and videos from the demonstrations.

 

Saturday, November 20

A number of workers and retirees assembled in the Worker House in Tehran. In this gathering, the workers showed their protest against a plan laid out in parliament, whereby wages can be wholly determined by a consensus between employee and employer.

“This plan will increase rural-to-urban migration and hence affect negatively the ecology”, Hassan Sadeghi, one of the workers’ representatives, commented about the plan. “It
reinforces informal employment and decreases demands in the market. In this plan, employers will be able to pay insurance contribution of just 10 days rather than 30 days.”



A group of workers of Abadan Petrochemical Complex assembled at company premises in front of the central factory building. They asked for the establishment of an Islamic Labor Council as a worker organization, pointing out that the government increases only the salary base in accordance with inflation each year, while other benefits remain the same.

Personnel of the medical treatment department of Elam University of Medical Sciences assembled on campus in protest.

A number of workers in Yazd Province assembled at the Worker House in Yazd City. They asked that the disparity in wages be closed, and that labor codes and regulations regarding worker housing be implemented.

“Considering the 47% (annual) inflation, a 20 to 30% increase in wages is never enough. Therefore, we are planning to address this issue in a session with workers’ organizations as
well as through Parliament,” the member of Parliament of this city, Mr. Jokar, commented. “Among other things, addressing the temporary contracts which undermine job security, productivity and motivations for labor force have to be prioritized.”

Sunday, November 21

In Shahrekord City, hundreds of people assembled in front of the municipal building of this Province and then marched through the streets of Shahrekord in protest against water shortages
and water mismanagement.

Families of the victims of Ukrainian International Airlines flight 752, which was hit by two regime missiles on January 8, 2020, resulting in the death of the 176 people on board, assembled and demanded that the court-martial convene and hold low-ranking military officers responsible for the incident accountable. Carrying placards and pictures of the victims, protesters called for justice.

A group of the retirees of the Fulad Company’s pension fund protested in Isfahan and Khuzestan before the building of this fund. They asked for the fortification of their pensions to stand
above the poverty line, the closing of disparities in pensions, and that the issues of supplementary insurance be addressed.

For several consecutive days, a group of workers of Abadan Petrochemical Complex assembled and protested at the premises of this complex. They demanded increased wages and that a workers’ organization be established.

Monday, November 22

In Shahrekord City, for a second consecutive day, dozens of citizens marched to protest against water shortage and water mismanagement in the province.

Recently-dismissed workers of the Aq-Dareh gold mine assembled at their former workplace to protest mass layoffs. They have stated that, as seasonal workers, they can hardly earn their livelihood during the winter months.

In Sirjan City, a number of workers of the edible oil company FRICO demanded their several-months-delayed wages.

Tuesday, November 23

A group of workers of Asminon Mine assembled on the road connecting Manoojān to Bandar-Abbas to protest against not addressing their issues. Reportedly, this was their fourth day of the protest.

Workers of the vegetable oil factory Nina, located in the Sirjan industrial zone, assembled in front of the municipal building to ask for their wage demands and determine their job  conditions. One of the workers said that the employer’s neglect towards workers’ demands has weakened their work motivation. He also mentioned that it is about three months that the factory is temporarily closed due to the lack of raw materials.

Wednesday, November 24

Hundreds of people in two squares of Shahrekord City, in Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari Province, assembled and marched to protest against water shortages, ineffective water management policies and poor resource mismanagement. They demanded, in particular, shutting down a water transfer project which extracts water from the Province through two canals, exacerbating the current water shortage. Reportedly, currently, 96.1% of Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari Province is facing drought.

In Isfahan, for several consecutive days, the farmers assembled in the dried up stretches of the river Zayandeh-rud. They demanded their water portion and the revival of this river.

Several patients with the blood disorder Thalassemia assembled in front of the headquarter of Zahedan University of Medical Sciences. According to these protestors,  the worsening quality of its medicines has endangered the health of patients. They asked for the removal of all poor-quality medicines from the market.

A number of the victims of the financial fraud of the “King Money” cryptocurrency network assembled in front of the building of the Baadraan Universal Trading company.

The seasonal workers of Haft-Tappeh sugarcane company assembled in Shush city in front of the office of Parliament member Kaab Amir. They asked that their employment contract issues be addressed.

Thursday, November 25

A number of citizens assembled in front of the office of the Cleric Ayatollah Nouri Hamedani in Qom City to protest against the family law–particularly mehrieh (money or
possessions paid by the groom). Many men, who are not able to afford to pay this money in the divorce, are convicted and even jailed.

For a second consecutive day, seasonal workers of Haft-Tappeh Sugarcane company assembled in Shush City in front of the office of Parliament member Kaab Amir.

The workers of the Iran-Khodro Company in Tabriz went on a strike and assembled at their workplace. They demanded closing the disparity in wages and implementing the Job Classification Act. 

Two Workers Killed in Mahshahr and Isfahan Due to Unsafe Workplace Conditions

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Afghanistan, Bandar Mahshahr, Isfahan, Mahshahr, Tondgovian, Tondgovian Petrochemical Factory, workplace conditions, workplace safety

On Tuesday, November 23 and Wednesday, November 24,  two workers were killed in workplace accidents in Mahshahr and Isfahan respectively.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting Mehr News Agency, a worker was killed on Tuesday in Tondgovian Petrochemical Factory located in Bandar Mahshahr. The worker was injured severely while he was repairing a ventilation system, and then passed away in hospital.

In another workplace accident, in Isfahan, on Wednesday, November 24, a construction worker who was a native of Afghanistan lost his life in a falling debris accident during the demolition of a building by an excavator.

“This accident took place at 13:25 and was reported to the fire department,” the spokesperson Municipality Fire and Safety Services Organization stated. “The firefighters dispatched from stations 18 and 6 and reached the spot as soon as possible. Unfortunately, the worker who was caught in the debris had been killed right after the accident.”

Iran ranks 102nd in workplace safety among 189 countries.

Retired Educator and Union activist Latif Roozikhah Sentenced to Seven Months Imprisonment

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"Propoganda against the regime", activist, Activist arrested, Activist imprisoned, Jolfa City, Latif Roozikhah, Roozikhah

The Revolutionary Court of Jolfa City recently sentenced retired educator and union activist Latif Roozikhah to seven months imprisonment.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, Roozikhah was asked to appear at the court on November 10.

He was sentenced to seven months in prison on a charge of “propaganda against the regime.”

 

 

One Worker Killed, Sixteen Workers Injured in Three Workplace Accidents

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Labor and Guilds, News
Atabak district, Crisis Management Organization of Qazvin Province, Isfahan, Lak village, Qazvin Province, Qeydar City, Qodratollah Mehdikhani, Tehran, Workers' conditions

On Saturday, November 20, in three separate workplace accidents, sixteen workers were injured and one worker was killed. In one of these accidents, the owner of a building was also killed.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting Borna News Agency, in Qazvin Province at the construction place of a wheat silo, a crane fell on the silo, which lead to the death of one worker and the injury of 12.

Qodratollah Mehdikhani, the head of Crisis Management Organization of Qazvin Province commented on the tragedy.

“Around 1:15 am, in Lak Village a crane fell over an under-construction silo and a part of the walls collapsed. 12 workers were injured and one other was killed,” Mehdikhani said.  “The rescue mission lasted until 6 am. Five workers were sent to a hospital in Qeydar City and seven others to several hospitals in Qazvin City. Unfortunately, one worker was killed from severe injuries and five of twelve workers have critical injuries. The crane did not meet the required safety standards.”

In another workplace accident, three workers were injured from an explosion, which caused a fire, in an old building in the Atabak District in Tehran.

“At 21:22, the fire department 125 of Tehran was alerted about a fire incident in an old building, in which the first floor was used as a warehouse by a workshop for bags and textile and leather products, ” the spokesperson of Tehran Municipality Fire Department said. “The  second floor was used as a restroom for workers from Afghanistan.”

“The fire took over the entire building and two of three workers were surrounded by fire in their room and could not leave.” the spokesperson added. “The firefighters reached the room by extinguishing the fire and rescued two workers. All three injured workers were hospitalized. Part of the building walls collapsed due to heat and explosions.”

In another workplace accident in Isfahan, during construction work in a building, the roof fell on the owner and a worker. In this accident, the owner was killed and a worker was injured severely.

Iran ranks 102nd in workplace safety out of 189 countries.