Tag: Haft Tappeh

International Workers’ Day: A Year in Review of Iranian Workers’ Conditions

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News
Anisha Asadollahi, Asghar Amirzadegan, Bandar-Abbas, Ebrahim Madadi, Haft Tappeh, Mehran Raouf, Nahid Khodajoo, Nasrin Javadi, Shahid Rajaee Port, Yadi Bahari

HRANA News Agency – Published on the occasion of International Workers’ Day, this report aims to highlight the challenges Iranian workers face, including lack of legal protection, labor rights violations, low wages, unpaid salaries, and unsafe working conditions.

According to HRA’s Department of Statistics and Publications, an analysis of labor-related reports from May 1, 2024, to April 27, 2025, reveals that at least 18,354 workers were reported killed or injured in workplace incidents, as documented by media outlets and organizations active in labor rights.

At least 16,273 workers were injured in workplace accidents over the past year. In one official nationwide and provincial report, authorities reported 16,000 injured, in addition to 273 other reports collected and disseminated by civil or labor organizations.

At least 2,081 workers also lost their lives in workplace accidents during this period. Authorities and relevant organizations reported in an official report the death of 2,000 workers, while independent bodies documented an additional 81 worker deaths not mentioned by officials.

Workers experienced a tragic year during the reporting period. Notably, on the evening of September 21, 2024, a massive explosion occurred at the Madanjo coal mine in Tabas, South Khorasan Province—one of the deadliest mining accidents in Iran’s history. The incident was caused by a sudden release of methane gas in Block C of the mine, which triggered an explosion and the spread of toxic gases into Block B. At the time, 69 workers were present in the two blocks. The blast claimed the lives of 52 workers and injured more than 20 others. Official reports cited inadequate ventilation, the absence of accurate gas sensors, and poor safety oversight as the main causes of the disaster.

The latest in a series of tragic incidents was the explosion at Shahid Rajaee Port in Bandar Abbas. Labor activists reported the death of 46 workers, including three female workers at the time of this writing. Moreover, more than 1,242 injuries were reported by official media, though it remains unclear how many of them were workers. Nevertheless, the head of the Bandar Abbas Workers’ Retirees Association emphasized that most of the victims were workers. This human tragedy, occurring on the eve of the International Day for Safety and Health at Work, highlights that neglecting workplace safety not only endangers thousands of workers’ lives but also inflicts irreparable human and economic damages on society. This reality underscores the importance of more serious enforcement of laws and continuous oversight of compliance with safety principles in work environments.

Despite the significant figures cited above, it is important to note that the majority of workplace incidents go unreported in the media due to the lack of transparency from responsible institutions and officials. Most Iranian workers face unsafe working conditions, with little job security and insufficient insurance coverage. A shortage of labor inspectors and weak safety infrastructure continue to hinder both the documentation and prevention of workplace accidents.

According to the reports compiled by the statistics department of this organization, the distribution of workplace incidents is as follows: 22.63% due to falls from height, 14.23% due to traffic accidents, 10.57% due to fires, 10.37% due to being struck by a hard object, 8.85% due to poisoning, 7.62% due to mining accidents, 6.42% due to gas inhalation, 6.39% due to factory incidents, 6.19% due to electrocution, 2.46% due to construction accidents, 2.30% due to well accidents, 0.81% due to explosions, 0.49% related to petrochemical and refinery incidents, 0.23% unknown causes, 0.19% due to smoke inhalation, 0.13% due to agricultural incidents, and 0.13% due to drowning.

Workplace Accident Categorization Chart

Additionally, based on the statistics gathered by the Statistics Center of Human Rights Activists, at least 1,233 months of wage arrears have been recorded across 92 industrial and service units.

According to the reports compiled by this organization’s statistics department, 72.19% of wage arrears are related to governmental organizations, 14.64% to private organizations, 8.80% are unknown, and 4.36% pertain to the energy industry.

It should be noted that a large portion of the published reports on wage arrears did not specify the number of workers involved, which is a major factor preventing accurate statistics on the number of workers claiming unpaid wages.

While estimates suggest a high level of protests within the labor community, over the past year, a total of only 738 labor protests and 1,145 union protests were reported by media or civil organizations. union protests decreased by 20%, while labor protests increased by 72%.

Among the most significant events in Iran over the past year are the protests by workers at Haft Tappeh Sugarcane Company, farmers, miners at the Western Yurt Winter Mine, workers at South Pars Gas Complex, as well as union protests by teachers, retirees, and Social Security pensioners.

Over the past 12 months, various cities across Iran witnessed different forms of protest movements by workers. A wide range of workers took to the streets due to non-payment of monthly wages and neglect of their insurance demands. Some workers protested after not receiving up to 30 months of wages. Consequently, 1,373 labor strikes and 69 union strikes took place. Labor strikes increased by 1,315% and union strikes by 86%.

Over the past year, the scale of organized demands by various sectors of the working class has been unprecedented. However, repression, deliberate disruption, non-recognition of independent labor unions and associations, the imprisonment and sentencing of several labor activists, and systematic obstruction of the right to protest have contributed to the fragmentation and disorganization of some labor protests and gatherings.

Labor unions, in their conventional international sense, do not exist in Iran. Independent organizations such as the Syndicate of Workers of Tehran and Suburbs Bus Company, the Haft Tappeh Sugarcane Workers’ Syndicate, the Coordinating Council of Teachers’ Unions, and the Free Workers’ Union face accusations of security and political offenses.

Many workers have been arrested or convicted on charges such as organizing peaceful gatherings and protesting low wages.

Over the past 12 months, at least 13 workers and labor activists have been arrested. Notable among these arrests are at least three workers from Barez Tire Factory in Kerman and four workers from Asfalt Toos Company.

It is also worth mentioning that Ebrahim Madadi, Nahid Khodajoo, Anisha Asadollahi, Nasrin Javadi, Yadi Bahari, and Mehran Raouf are among the prominent labor activists currently imprisoned along with union activists such as Asghar Amirzadegan.

Esmaeil Gerami

Ebrahim Madadi

Nahid Khodajoo

Anisha Asadollahi

Nasrin Javadi

Yadi Bahari

Mehran Raoof

Asghar Amirzadegan

Furthermore, there have been sentences against 10 labor activists and workers totaling 340 months of discretionary imprisonment, 5 cases of self-immolation, 5 cases of suicide, interrogation of 7 individuals by security bodies, 5 cases of sentence execution, 1 home search, summoning of 14 individuals to judicial and security authorities, 11 factory closures, 4,424 cases of dismissal and layoffs, 585 cases of unemployment, 1,024,872 cases of workers lacking work insurance, and 5,105 cases of workers left in limbo regarding their employment status.

In the unions and guilds sector, there have been a total of 27 arrests of union activists, 804 months of discretionary imprisonment, 92 months of suspended imprisonment, 29 lashes, 577.4 million tomans in fines, 168 months of exile for 72 union activists, 3 travel bans, 18 court trials, 118 summonses to judicial-security authorities, 315 place closures, 11 cases of dismissals and layoffs, at least 165 months of wage arrears, 3 cases of forced retirement, 3 home searches, 5 sentence executions, and 5 cases of assault reported.

Over the past year, active and retired teachers and educators across various cities and provinces of the country staged protests and strikes to demand their unmet claims. Accordingly, 98 protests and 2 strikes have been recorded. It is noteworthy that in the past year, there have been 14 arrests, 56 summons, 16 court trials, at least 11 months of delayed salaries, 8 cases of dismissal and prohibition from teaching, and 3 cases of forced retirement among teachers. Additionally, 69 teachers and activists in this sector have been sentenced to a total of 780 months of discretionary imprisonment, 92 months of suspended imprisonment, 29 lashes, 3 cases of deprivation of social rights, and 537.4 million tomans in fines.

The Executive Secretary of the Khorasan Razavi Workers’ House identified the wide gap between wages and living costs as the most significant problem for workers and retirees, stating that despite wage adjustments based on inflation rates, the rapid rise in prices has further reduced the purchasing power of these groups. Seyed Hossein Rasouli added that, given the steep inflation in basic goods in recent months, the wages received by workers and retirees only cover about two weeks of their monthly expenses. He criticized the government, as the country’s largest employer, for not considering workers’ satisfaction and welfare in its calculations.

Meanwhile, Mohammad Chakoshian, Deputy Minister of Cooperatives, Labor, and Social Welfare, in response to the Chamber of Commerce’s announcement regarding a “10% wage reduction for workers with Friday closures,” claimed: “This cannot be implemented because it is illegal, and no one can reduce a worker’s salary against labor laws; if such a violation occurs, it must be stopped.”

According to a report by the National Research Center, occupational accidents are the second leading cause of death in the country, with miners suffering the most due to the lack of safety systems and weak oversight. The rising death toll due to officials’ neglect of workplace safety is a clear example of the violation of workers’ human rights.

Furthermore, the Executive Secretary of the Saveh Workers’ House pointed out the harsh living conditions for workers and retirees, attributing the main cause to behind-the-scenes collusion among parliament members, government officials, and their economic team, whose promises were imposed on workers’ representatives in the Supreme Labor Council.

Additionally, a member of the Parliament’s Commission for Internal Affairs and Councils highlighted the problems faced by workers at Esfandeh Copper Mines in Arzooieh County, stating: “These miners work hundreds of meters underground for a monthly income of 10 to 12 million tomans, which is unjust.” Yasser Soleimani further noted: “Workers at one of the copper mines in this region must travel three hours daily on dirt roads to reach their workplace and return.”

Moreover, the President of the Association of Trade Unions of East Azerbaijan Province stated that some employers, to evade the 4% insurance premium for hazardous jobs, dismiss workers before they reach 20 years of service to prevent them from qualifying for early retirement benefits. Others avoid past debts by changing the factory name and registering a new workshop code. Saeed Fattahi added that the issuance of Directive 1777 by the Social Security Organization has exacerbated problems for workers in hazardous jobs.

Additionally, the Vice President of the Supreme Council of Islamic Labor Councils announced that 70% of workers covered by labor law, despite the minimum wage increase this year, still face a livelihood deficit of around eight million tomans compared to the actual cost of living. Ali Khodaei attributed this situation to unrealistic wage-setting policies, government neglect of the industrial sector, migration of skilled labor, and workers turning to precarious jobs.

According to the recent resolution of the Supreme Labor Council, workers’ housing allowance has remained unchanged at 900,000 tomans for the second consecutive year. This is despite the latest data from Iran’s Statistical Center, which shows that annual housing sector inflation has reached 40.8%. The lack of an increase in this allowance comes at a time when the value of the dollar has risen by 60% since the beginning of the year and the general inflation rate has reached 32% by the end of February. This glaring gap between the meager wage increases and rampant inflation has turned housing costs into a serious crisis for workers.

It is worth mentioning that Ali-Asghar Nakhai Rad, a member of Parliament, stated that workers’ purchasing power has decreased by 40% compared to the past. In recent years, workers’ wages have lagged behind inflation, and now we are facing an accumulation of this gap. He emphasized that, considering the possibility of higher inflation next year, the wage increase for workers in 2025 must exceed the inflation rate announced by the Central Bank.

The ILNA news agency reported that the heavy debt of the Social Security Organization to medical centers and pharmacies has deprived insured individuals of healthcare services. Esmaeili, Acting Director of Social Security’s Healthcare Management in Markazi Province, stated that employers’ debts to Social Security amount to 1.14 quadrillion tomans, which is six times the amount Social Security owes to medical centers. Khosrow Ranjbar, a retirees’ rights activist, also criticized this situation, stressing that workers and retirees have been deprived of medical care due to managers’ irresponsibility and employers’ profiteering, even though insurance premiums have been deducted from their wages but not paid to Social Security.

Other demands of the labor community include the prohibition of child labor and the provision of free education for children, the establishment of the highest safety standards in work environments, and the elimination of discriminatory laws against women and migrant workers.

Despite Iranian women workers being described as the cheapest labor force in the country, their employment situation is worse than that of men, and they enjoy fewer legal protections, rights, and benefits. Moreover, women workers have less bargaining power compared to their male colleagues. Production and industrial units are less inclined to hire married women, and in some cases, single women are employed under the condition that they do not marry or become pregnant.

The situation of female workers in small workshops is even worse. Women make up half of the workers in brick kilns, where they work under extremely harsh conditions.

In Iran, Workers’ Day arrives amid continued privatization of factories and state-owned companies without considering the long-term interests of workers, a situation that has led to widespread labor protests.

A Statistical Analysis of the Iranian Workers’ Situation in the Last Year

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Anisha Asadollahi, Asghar Amirzadegan, Haft Tappeh, Hassan Saeedi, HRA, human rights activists in iran, International Workers' Day, Keyvan Mohtadi, Mehran Raoof, Mohammad Sadeghi, Nahid Khodajoo, Nasrin Javadi, Othman Esmaeili, Rasoul Bodaghi, Reza Shahabi, Yadi Bahari

In observance of International Workers’ Day, this report by Human Rights Activists in Iran (HRA) provides statistics on the condition of Iranian workers over the past year, highlighting their ongoing struggle with violations of labor rights and unionization, low wages, wage arrears, and workplace safety concerns.

Workplace Accidents

According to the Statistics and Publication Center of HRA, in the past twelve months (from May 1, 2023, to April 27, 2024), at least 9,879 workers have been killed or injured in workplace accidents based on reports made by either state media or workers’ rights organizations.

According to HRA’s Statistics and Publication Center, over the past twelve months (from May 1, 2023, to April 27, 2024), at least 9,879 workers have been killed or injured in workplace accidents as reported by either state media or workers’ rights organizations.

During this period, at least 1,680 workers died in work-related accidents, with 1,514 deaths reported by ten official sources and the remaining 166 deaths reported by independent organizations. These statistics are likely underestimations due to the lack of transparency from relevant institutions and their failure to release information to the public.

Additionally, 3,066 workers were injured at work, with 2,333 cases mentioned in six official reports or statements made by officials at the national or provincial level. Civil and labor rights associations reported the remaining 733 cases.

Here is a breakdown of the types of accidents:

   . 23.87% were due to falls from height
   . 19.71% were caused by fires
   . 9.58% were related to construction accidents
   . 7.59% involved impacts from hard objects
   . 7.59% occurred in factories
   . 6.69% were linked to well accidents
   . 6.51% involved electrocutions
   . 4.70% were related to vehicle accidents
   . 4.16% occurred in mines
   . 3.80% were due to gas poisoning
   . 2.53% happened in petrochemical plants and refineries
   . 1.08% were due to drownings
   . 0.90% were related to agricultural accidents
   . 0.90% were caused by poisonings
   . 0.18% were due to heat strokes
   . 0.18% were caused by frostbites

Wage Arrears (Withheld wages) 

According to statistics from HRA’s Statistics and Publication Center, at least 84,226 workers are owed wage arrears totaling more than 1,052 combined monthly payments.

As Figure below indicates, public sector companies and organizations account for 54% of these wage arrears. The private sector is responsible for 31%, while the energy sector accounts for 4%. The type of organizations responsible for the remaining 11% of wage arrears is unknown.

Unfortunately, many official reports do not specify the number of workers waiting for wage arrears, making it difficult to provide an accurate figure.

Peaceful Assembly and Association

During the reporting period, media and civil society organizations have documented 428 workers’ protests and 1,448 trade union protests, marking increases of 100.5% and 90% respectively compared to the previous year. A significant portion of labor protests likely goes unreported.

Major labor events in the country over the past year include the workers’ protests of Haft Tappeh Sugarcane Company and Railway Services & Technical Construction Engineering, Iran National Steel Industrial Group, Aghajari Oil and Gas Exploitation Company, teachers and educators, civil servant pensioners and the pensioners from the Social Security Organization, national telecommunication company.

Over the past 12 months, numerous cities across the country witnessed a variety of labor protests with demands ranging from addressing insurance issues to resolving wage arrears, which sometimes accumulate up to 30 months. A total of 97 labor strikes and 37 union strikes were reported, representing a decrease of 14% and 90.6% respectively.

Iranian workers’ efforts to organize and persist in their demands have been remarkable. However, the suppression of unionization attempts, the arrest and imprisonment of labor activists, and the denial of workers’ rights to protest have led to some labor protests being sporadic and disorganized.

In Iran, traditional labor unions do not exist. Workers’ efforts to form independent unions are suppressed through security crackdowns and politically motivated allegations against workers’ rights activists, as seen in the cases of the Syndicate of Workers of Tehran and Suburbs Bus Company, Haft Tappeh Sugarcane Syndicate, the Coordination Council of Iranian Teachers’ Trade Associations, and the Independent Iranian Workers Union (IIWU).

Many workers have been summoned, arrested, or convicted for peaceful activities such as protesting low wages. In the past 12 months, at least 51 workers and workers’ rights activists have been arrested. The most notable cases include the arrest of 32 protesting workers in two mines at the Aq-Darreh gold mines and several contractors working at the South Pars/North Dome gas-condensate field located in Bushehr.

Currently imprisoned workers’ rights activists include Reza Shahabi, Hassan Saeedi, Nahid Khodajoo, Othman Esmaeili, Anisha Asadollahi, Keyvan Mohtadi, Nasrin Javadi, Yadi Bahari, Mehran Raoof, and union activists Rasoul Bodaghi, Mohammad Sadeghi, and Asghar Amirzadegan.

Additionally, 26 workers and workers’ rights activists have been sentenced to a total of 460 months in prison, 86 months of suspended sentences, 1,258 lashes, and fines totaling 42.5 million tomans.

In the reporting period, 10 workers committed suicide, including one self-immolation. Additionally, 48 workers faced arraignment, 5 verdicts were enforced, and 2 activists’ residences were searched. Ten workers were summoned by security or judicial institutions. In the same period, 47 factories were closed, 2,514 workers were laid off, 3,188 workers lost their jobs involuntarily, and 2,272,461 workers lacked any labor insurance scheme. Furthermore, 3,996 workers were suspended from work due to factory closures or other reasons for which the employer was responsible.

Moreover, 26 trade union activists were arrested, and 66 were sentenced to a total of 1,495 months in prison, 18 months of suspended sentences, 72 lashes, 24 months of exile, and fines totaling 185,700 tomans. Additionally, 57 trade union activists were summoned by security or judicial authorities, 130 were laid off, and 13 were forced into retirement and 11 were banned from leaving the country. Wage arrears of 335 months affected 13,600 workers. Security forces searched two activists’ residences, 9 verdicts were enforced, and 14 suicides were reported. Public Security Police or other authorities closed 2,049 businesses.

Over the past 12 months, retired and working teachers and educators from dozens of cities across the country have continued their protests, strikes, and rallies. They have staged numerous actions to demand improvements to their working conditions. The report recorded 44 protest gatherings and 4 labor strikes by teachers. As a result of these protests, 21 people were arrested, 49 were summoned, and 36 were convicted. Additionally, 10,600 people faced at least 48 months of wage arrears. Sixty-one teachers were laid off or banned from teaching, and 9 were forced into early retirement. Furthermore, 64 teachers and teachers’ union activists were sentenced to a total of 1,495 months in prison, 18 months of suspended sentences, 24 cases of social deprivations, 72 lashes, and fines totaling 125.7 million tomans.

The Economic Situation

Referring to the disparity between workers’ wages and inflation, as well as the devaluation of the national currency, Saeed Mostafa-Neajd, Executive Secretary of Worker House (Khaneh Kargar) in East Azerbaijan Province, stated that “If workers’ wages are not reconsidered, they will turn to jobs like motorcycle delivery and garbage collecting instead of remaining in manufacturing jobs. Their concerns have shifted from housing and cars to basic sustenance, worrying about having enough to eat for tomorrow.

In response to the “10% reduction in workers’ salaries due to closing on Thursdays,” Mohammad Chakoshian, Deputy Minister of Cooperatives, Labour, and Social Welfare, stated, “This plan cannot be implemented as it goes against labor law to reduce wages. If such a violation occurs, it must be addressed and prevented.”

The ILNA news agency reported that, given the current economic situation in the country, workers earning just $3 per day cannot afford a simple meal. Despite a 35% increase in minimum wages, the purchasing power of workers’ households has been greatly diminished by high inflation and the devaluation of the currency. To buy a basic car like the Pride, a worker would need to save 19 months’ worth of wages without spending any money.

Davoud Mirzaie, Executive Secretary of Worker House (Khaneh Kargar) in Saveh blamed secret collusion between members of parliament and the government for the difficult living conditions faced by the workers and pensioners. He stated that instead of fulfilling their empty promises, they imposed different policies on the representatives of workers in the Supreme Labor Council.

“The government and its economic team, along with members of parliament, have made it more difficult to retire by raising the retirement age and extending the required work record for retirement. They have also effectively abolished the law regarding difficult and hazardous occupations. The Ministry of Cooperatives, Labour, and Social Welfare has made decisions worse than in previous years, suppressing labor rights once again, which will worsen the living conditions of millions of retired workers,” Mirzaie added.

Criticizing the reduction in real wages, a board member of Worker House in Qom Province stated that this decrease will further impoverish workers. The minimum wages were set without accounting for real inflation. “The worker’s representative was not treated fairly in Supreme Labor Council meetings, and the government unilaterally made decisions regarding the minimum wage. The worker community has been trapped in a dire situation due to the wrong and unwise decisions of some officials.”

According to Nader Moradi, a workers’ rights advocate, the monthly cost of living for a worker’s household is at least 30 million tomans. With their current wages, workers can barely survive, and their monthly income may only cover expenses for one week. Workers cannot afford the costs of adequate food, medical expenses, and education. In an interview with ILNA, Moradi warned about the Supreme Labor Council’s decision: “This level of disregard for the law is unprecedented. If wages this year do not keep pace with inflation, the subsistence crisis will worsen, leaving no way out.”

Referring to the challenging situation faced by female workers in Iran, Binazir Jalahi, a former official from the Ministry of Cooperatives, Labour, and Social Welfare, confirmed that labor laws for women are largely not enforced. She also highlighted gender wage discrimination, noting that women earn less than men for the same work and do not receive child and guardian allowances.

Regarding the cost of living, the latest report from the Statistical Center of Iran indicates that the average cost of housing in Tehran is 80 million tomans per square meter. This amount, as estimated by the Entekhab website, is equivalent to a full-time worker’s entire annual income.

Tasnim News Agency reported that a directive from the Ministry of Education, which prohibits teachers from retiring during the school year and has been affirmed by the court of Administrative Justice, faced objections from some teachers. In the teachers’ appeal, they argued that the directive infringes on their rights since the retirement dates of many teachers fall within the school year. Teachers have traditionally retired at any semester, and they further objected that the directive limiting retirement after the start of the school year violates the law and the ministry’s justifications of potential disruptions in students’ education stem from its own mismanagement.

Regarding this year’s minimum wages, an official from the Social Security Retired Center of Tehran stated, “Since the workers’ representatives did not sign the resolution and the minimum wage for this year was set against legal criteria and without workers’ agreement, workers have the right to file a complaint.” The official added, “A 22% increase in pensions is insufficient and will push many pensioners from the Social Security Organization into absolute poverty. Article 96 of the Social Security law clearly states that pensions should increase in line with the cost of living. Therefore, the Supreme Labor Council’s resolution should not be followed for increasing pensions.”

Prohibition of child labor and the provision of free education for children, the establishment of the highest level of safety standards in the workplace, and the elimination of discriminatory laws for women and migrant workers are other demands of the working community.

Despite being a part of the cheapest labor force in the country, women’s labor situation is worse than men, with fewer benefits, lower wages, and a lesser degree of legal protection. Even worse, women have less bargaining power in the workplace.

Employers in manufacturing industries are less willing to recruit married women, and in some cases, single women’s recruitment is conditioned on not getting married or pregnant. Female workers’ situation in small workshops is far worse. Women comprise half of the workers occupied at bricklaying, a laborious and onerous work.

The ongoing privatization of government-owned industrial sectors has further degraded work conditions, job security, and benefits, leading to an increase in workers’ protests and strikes.

As Iranian workers celebrate International Workers’ Day there is little prospect of improvement through domestic reform or remedy. Nonetheless, the State must uphold its international human rights obligations under both the ICCPR and the ICESCR, ensuring that workers and labor rights activists are free to peacefully assemble and associate without fear of reprisal.

For further inquiries please contact Skylar Thompson, Senior Advocacy Coordinator Human Rights Activists in Iran (HRA) at [email protected]

Lawyer Farzaneh Zilabi Receives Prison Sentence

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Freedom of Expression, News
ahvaz, Farzaneh Zilabi, Haft Tappeh, Mandanda Sadeghi, Mehrnoosh Tafian, Ronak Rezaie

HRANA, Human Rights Activists News Agency-The Branch 4 of the Ahvaz Revolutionary Court sentenced attorney Farzaneh Zilabi to one year and six months in prison.

According to the verdict, Zilabi received one year for the charge of “propaganda against the regime” and six months for “insulting the Supreme Leader of Iran.” The court session, held on April 17, 2023, addressed these charges along with two other charges of “membership in anti-regime groups” and “assembly and collusion against national security.”

It should be noted that Zilabi is also facing the charge of “spreading falsehood” in another ongoing legal case.

Zilabi has been a legal representative for the Syndicate of Workers of Haft-Tappeh Sugarcane Agro-Industry Company and has represented several recently arrested individuals, including media activist Mehrnoosh Tafian, journalist Mandanda Sadeghi, and student activist Ronak Rezaie. Zilabi has a history of arrests and convictions related to her activism.

 

Sepideh Gholian Hospitalized Following Hunger Strike

Posted on by A MN
News, Prisoners
Bushehr prison, Esmail Bakhshi, Haft Tappeh, HRANA, Sepideh Gholian, Shush city

On September 13, 2022, imprisoned civil rights activist Sepideh Gholian was hospitalised following a hunger strike. Gholian went on hunger strike on September 10 as a protest against her imprisonment in exile and away from her city. Today, on September 15, she ended her hunger strike after prison officials promised to address her request for relocation.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, following Gholian’s hunger strike, she was sent to a hospital outside Evin Prison.

An informed source told HRANA that Gholian started a hunger strike when the prison officials refused her requests for relocation to Sepidar Prison in Ahvaz. Gholian has been separated from her family through a long distance between the cities. 

On November 18, 2018, Sepideh Gholian was arrested along with at least 19 others, including members of the Assembly of Representatives of Haft-Tappeh workers, and several workers’ activists by security police in Shush city. She was released on bail on December 18, 2018.

After broadcasting her forced confession as well as some other workers’ activists, including Esmail Bakhshi on state TV, they announced that the “confessions” were extracted under duress. Soon after this announcement, the security police arrested them.

On October 26, 2019, Gholian was released on bail until the end of legal proceedings. On December 14, 2019, she was sentenced to 5 years imprisonment by Tehran Appellate Court.

On June 21, 2020, Gholian began serving her prison term in Evin prison. On March 10, 2021, she was exiled to Bushehr Prison, where she was held until she was granted leave.

HRANA Recap: This Week’s Protests in Iran

Posted on by A MN
Labor and Guilds, News
Abadan's protest, Allameh Tabatabai University, Babol Noshirvani University of Technology, Esmail Abdi, Haft Tappeh, Hasti Amiri, Meteropol Tower Collapse, mohammad habibi, Social Security pensioners, taxi app Snapp

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, a number of protests took place this week in Iran. Read our recap below for details, photos, and videos from the demonstrations

Saturday, May 23

A group of workers and retirees of the Sugarcane Agro-Industry Company Haft-Tappeh gathered in front of the governorate building in Shush City. Recently, these protestors who are living in corporate houses of this company have received an eviction notice. They said that “we will evict the houses, but we have to receive beforehand the renovation expenses. Since these houses are too old, we have spent a lot on renovation”.

A group of poultry farmers assembled in front of the Ministry of Agriculture Jihad in Tehran. They protested against a 600% increase in livestock inputs. According to these farmers, the subsidiary companies of the Ministry sell the livestock inputs illegally on the black market.

A group of personnel of the Ministry of Petroleum who have temporary contracts gathered before this Ministry in Tehran to protest again low wages. According to these protestors, a 10 per cent increase in wages can not keep up with current inflation.

A number of workers of the Municipality of Ahar City walked off the job and went on strike to protest unpaid wages.

Sunday, May 23

A group of pensioners of the Social Security Organization gathered in front of the Planning and Budget Organization in Tehran. In Karaj, Ahvaz, Tabriz, Kerman, Rasht, and Kermanshah, the pensioners held protests before the building of the Social Security Organization in each city.

These pensioners demanded raising their pension to stand above the poverty line, addressing the supplementary insurance issues, the end year bonuses.

 

 

 

A group of workers of the Municipality of Yasuj gathered before the governorate building to protest against 5-month delays in payments. One of the workers complained: “we work 12 hours. However, we cannot even afford the travel expenses so we have to walk to work. If we protest, they threaten us with termination.”

A group of citizens, who have not lost their money by the fraudulent acts of Negin Khordo and Irtoya, held protests before Tehran Public Prosecutor’s Office. They asked for transparency and responsibility from the judiciary in examining the legal case against these companies.

 

Monday, May 23

Following the collapse of a tower in Abadan, dozens of people rallied and protested. 27 people died in this accident. On that day, at least 80 people were still trapped under rubble.

In Tehran, a number of taxi drivers working for taxi app Snapp protested against low fares, lack of insurance coverage and other issues.

Tuesday, May 24

A group of students of Allameh Tabataba’i University protested against the suppression of students and prison sentence against Hasti Amiri, one of the law students at Allameh Tabataba’i University.

Recently, the Court of Appeals upheld a one-year sentence against Hasti Amiri.

Similarly, a group of students of the Babol Noshirvani University of Technology gathered on campus to protest against the prison sentence against Hasti Amiri as well as other imprisoned civil activist Farhad Meysami and jailed teachers Mohammad Habibi and Esmail Abdi.

In Abadan, hundreds of residents gathered and protested before the collapsed tower known as Metropol. They chanted slogans against the incompetency of officials and shortcomings in rescue operations and equipment. At least 26 people died in this accident. The experts of the Abadan Engineering Organization had already warned about the construction defect of this unfinished building.

A group of workers of the Ministry of Petroleum, who have temporary contracts gathered before this Ministry in Tehran. They said that a 10 per cent increase in wages is less than the minimum wage enacted by the Ministry of Labor. Also, they have not received yet the end year bonuses.

A number of ranchmen brought some of their livestock in front of the governorate building in Mehran city to protest against the shortening of forage for livestock.

Wednesday, May 25

A group of physicians held protests in front of the Ministry of Health and Medical Education in Tehran. With placards in their hands, they protested that the government and insurance take as high as 70 per cent of their revenue.

A number of residents of a district in Fanuj City gathered at their district to protest against Natural Resources Office’s attempt to confiscate their lands to construct a mine. They also warned about the irreparable damage this mine will bring to the environment.

Thursday, May 26

In protest against the incompetency of officials led to the collapse of a tower and the death of 26 people, hundreds of people in Abadan rallied. Also in Ahvaz and Shahinshar, people rallied in support of Abadan’s protest. People chanted anti-government slogans and the police shoot tear gas into the crowd in order to scatter them.

On May 23, 2022, the unfinished 10-story Metropol building collapsed and dozens of people were killed, injured or trapped in the debris.

 

 

 

 

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HRANA Recap: This Week’s Protests in Iran

Posted on by A MN
News
Ali-Sadr Cave Tourist-Recreational Complex, Aligudarz, Damavand Petrochemical Company, Ebrahimi Mahmoodi, Gas Complex Project, Haft Tappeh, Iranian pharmacists, Iranian Teachers’ Trade Associations, Jowshaqan-e Qali, Mobarakeh City, Shush Municipality, Shushtar Karun Sugarcane Agro-Industry, Strike

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, a number of protests took place this week in Iran. Read our recap below for details, photos, and videos from the demonstrations


Saturday, April 30

A number of workers of Shush Municipality held protests in front of the governorate building in this city. These workers demanded four months of unpaid wages, two months of unpaid insurance employer contribution and official employment contracts.

One of the workers said: “in total, more than 300 workers work for Shush Municipality through contractors. Many of them have been working for the municipality for about 18 years. Along with wages arrears and unpaid insurance contributions, they wanted to be officially recruited by the municipality.”

A group of workers of IGC contractor company working in a Gas Complex Project NGL3100 in Dehloran went on strike. These workers asked for increasing wages and a work schedule of 20 days on/10 days off.
At the same time, the workers of two contractor companies working in Damavand Petrochemical Company and the Gas Tank Manufacturing Company Gheytasi went on strike.

Sunday, May 1

In response to a call by the Coordination Council of Iranian Teachers’ Trade Associations, the retired and working teachers and educators in 45 cities assembled in front of the building of the Ministry of Education. Due to the presence of many security agents before the ministry of education in Tehran, the teachers gathered in several parks in the city.

More than 450 workers of Shushtar Karun Sugarcane Agro-Industry held protests at company premises and before the governorate building in Shushtar city. They demanded official employment contracts for seasonal workers, more workforce to reduce the workload and closing disparities in wages.

A number of pharmacists assembled and protested before Food and Drug Administration in Tehran. One of The protestors said: “It was going to form a workgroup consisting of Food and Drug Administration, the Medical Council and the representatives of pharmacists to address the issues. Yet, so far, such workgroup has not formed.” According to these pharmacists, their jobs have been damaged by a pharmaceutical Mafia.

 

A number of farmers in Mobarakeh City in Isfahan Province gathered before the governorate building in this city to ask for their ware ration.

A number of Social Security pensioners held protests in Arak, Ahvaz, Rasht and Kermanshah before the social security organization’s offices in each city. Their demands include raising pensions to stand above the poverty line, implementing a plan to close disparities in pension and wages, and addressing supplementary insurance issues.

A group of Haft-Tappeh Sugarcane Agro-Industry gathered and protested at the company premises.

A number of workers of Shush Municipality went again on strike in protest against the unpaid wages and the unpaid insurance employer contributions.

Monday, May 2

A group of Shushtar Karun Sugarcane Agro-Industry in Khuzestan Province held a protest. These workers demanded modifications in their employment contracts. One of the workers said: “the workers consist of two groups with two different demands. one group who works for contractors and wanted to be recruited directly by the company and the second group have been already recruited by the company but they want permanent and official contracts for the sake of job security.”

Continuing their protest, workers of Shush Municipality gathered to ask for three to four months’ unpaid wages and insurance employer contributions.

On the occasion of teacher appreciation day, a group of teachers and educators in Aligudarz gathered to ask for their demands. They also chanted in protest against the arrest of teacher Ebrahimi Mahmoodi.

 

Thursday, May 5

Along with their families, a group of teacher union activists of Sanandaj and Mariwan held protests on the day of the minister of education’s visit to Sanandaj City. Holding placards in their hands, they demanded the release of the detained teachers Eskandar Lotfi and Masoud Nikkhah.

A group of workers of the Ali-Sadr Cave Tourist-Recreational Complex gathered to protest against not addressing their work demands.

The residents of the rural district of Jowshaqan-e Qali in Isfahan Province gathered to protest against mining activities in the region. According to these protestors, the Iron mine activity in the mountains has endangered the ecosystem.

 

HRANA Recap: This Week’s Protests in Iran

Posted on by Editor
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.

 

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. 

HRANA Recap: This Week’s Protests in Iran

Posted on by Editor
Freedom of Expression, Labor and Guilds, News
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
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 13

A number of retirees of the airline company Homa assembled before Mehrabad Airport Central Office Building in Tehran. They also protested against the merger of Homa’s pension fund into the national pension fund.

“We have not yet fully earned the salary for September.” one of the protestors stated. “The retirees of Tehran have received 5 million tomans of the payment but the rest of the retirees have not received anything.”

In Isfahan, a number of farmers assembled in and marched through in the dried up stretches of the river Zayandeh-rud. This is the sixth day that they have protested to demand their water portion.

 

A group of contracted teachers and educators working in Neyshabur City protested in the building of the General Department of Education of Razavi Khorasan Province in Mashhad.

Reportedly, despite news that the contracted teachers will be recruited by the Ministry of Education in the cities of Neyshabur and Firouzeh, following a dispute between the local departments and the general department of the Ministry of Education on hours and wages, the supportive plan was cancelled.

 

A group of residents in a district in Izeh County in Khuzestan Province assembled in front of the government building to demand their rights. They claimed that a portion of their land has been confiscated by the Department of Natural Resources.

Sunday, November 14

 

A group of syndicate bus drivers of Tehran Bus Company assembled before the building of Government Employees’ Court and then marched towards the Judiciary Office in Tehran. As one of the protestors mentioned, they protested against delays in payment, not receiving uniforms and contractors who are shirking their responsibilities towards addressing workers’ issues.

Personnel of at least nine medical centers, belonging to the University of Medical Sciences and Health Services, assembled and protested against authorities’ failure to follow through on promises they have made.

Retirees of the Ministry of Agriculture Jihad assembled before the office of the President to demand that their housing issues be addressed. Reportedly, several years ago, they made down payments on apartments from a housing cooperative and then were never granted building permits.

A number of contracted teachers assembled in front of the government building in Qazvin City to protest against modifications in job contracts and irregular payments. Reportedly, these teachers primary complaints relate to the arbitrary determination of salaries. They stated that their monthly salary is just about 1.8 million tomans, which falls below the poverty line.

A number of retirees of the pension fund of Fulad Company assembled in front of the pension fund offices of various cities. They asked for the fortification of their pension to surpass the poverty line, closing the disparity in pension incomes, enforcing Article 96 of the Social Security Act, solving issues regarding supplementary insurance.

A group of sugarcane harvesting workers of Haft-Tappeh Company assembled and protested at the company premises. 150 fired sugarcane workers demanded to be hired again and work in other parts of the company.

Contracted service workers of Ahvaz Municipality assembled before the governorate building to ask to be recruited by the municipality rather than contractors.

For a seventh consecutive days, a group of farmers assembled in Isfahan and marched through the dried up stretches of the river Zayandeh-rud to demand their water portion. They spent the night in tents under the Khaju Bridge.

Monday, November 15

A number of Taxi drivers assembled and protested before the City Council Office in Kahnooj City in Kerman Province to protest against the newly announced fare rates. They said that they can hardly afford their living costs with such low rates.

Tuesday, November 16

Personnel of the drilling company Global Petro Tech Kish assembled in Ahvaz City to protest seven month delays in payments.

 

Earthquake victims of Bandar-Abbas villages assembled to protest against neglect of their issues.

 

A number of workers of Sanandaj Municipality assembled in front of the City Council Building to demand their unpaid wages.

Wednesday, November 17

 

Dozens of workers of the tire manufacturing factory Barez assembled at factory premises to protest against the gap in wages and benefits.

“Many times we asked company management to do something about discrimination in wages and address our poor job conditions,” one worker said. “Considering poor economic conditions of the county, there has been no increase in our wages despite the multiplying manufactured products’ prices.”

 

Personnel of Metro security in Karaj City went on a strike and assembled before the metro station and demanded that wage and insurance issues be addressed.

 

In Tabriz, for several consecutive days, the workers of the Iran Tractor Manufacturing Industrial Group went on a strike and assembled at their workplace. They protested against low wages and the lack of job security, and the failure to enact the promised changes in their contracts.

 

For the ninth consecutive day, farmers in Isfahan assembled and protested in the dried up stretches of the river Zayandeh-rud. They spent the night in tents under the Khaju Bridge.

 

A number of workers of the copper mining company “Dareh Zar Ruchun” assembled in Sirjan city.

They protested against the mismatch of working hours with wages, not implementing the Job Classification Act, low wages, the lack of job security.

Thursday, November 18

 

A number of workers of Railway Services & Technical Construction Engineering Company working in Metro Security assembled and blocked the railway and demanded their delayed payments.

For the tenth consecutive day, farmers assembled and protested in the dried up stretches of the river Zayandeh-rud in Isfahan to ask for their water supply.

 

HRANA Recap: This Week’s Protests in Iran

Posted on by Editor
Freedom of Expression, Labor and Guilds, News
ahvaz, Ahvaz Municipality, Cryptoland, Fulad, Gilan, Gilan province, Haft Tappeh, Hassan Muhammad Yari, Hossein Mirzaie, Manjil, Parliament, Rasht, Sepidar, Shafa Rud, Tehran
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.

 

Friday, October 15

In Isfahan, a number of farmers assembled at the office of parliament member Hossein Mirzaie to protest the mismanagement in addressing water shortage. In response to the member of parliament (MP) who had recommended rain praying as the only solution, these farmers asked him to pray.

“We are waiting for the MP to come here and do rain prayer,” the farmers stated. “We go here on sit-down strike until it rains.”

 

A number of construction workers for a project to build a freeway tunnel from Manjil to Rasht City went on strike to protest against their employer who broke his promise regarding paying delayed wages. According to the workers, after fifteen days, the employer has yet to fulfill his promise to pay four months of unpaid wages.

About 800 workers working on the Shafa Rud dam in Gilan Province additionally went on strike last Friday to ask for the payment of their wages, which are seven months delayed.

“Since last year, I have been trying to address their issues,” Hassan Muhammad Yari , the MP of Talesh City, stated in Parliament. “Many times, I gave speeches in the parliament; however, so far there has been no one to listen. Therefore, these workers went on strike to reach their demands and I will join them from next week.”

Saturday, October 16

A group of workers of Ahvaz municipality protested on Saturday, first in front of the parliament building in Tehran and then at the office of the president. Reportedly, 69 recently-temporarily-laid-off workers of Ahvaz Municipality demanded to return to work. The workers have not been paid for the last six months and are facing a four month suspension from work.

Sunday, October 17

Workers of the Tehran Bus Company, along with the stakeholder of the housing cooperative of this company, assembled in front of the judiciary building in Tehran. The housing cooperative set up Sepidar construction projects 2 and 3 aiming to provide these bus drivers with housing, but 10 years after its introduction the project remains unfinished.

A number of people who have lost money to Cryptoland, a cryptocurrency exchange, assembled in front of the parliament building and demanded the return of their money

A number of retirees of the pension fund of the steel corporation Fulad assembled in front of the building of this corporation in Isfahan. They asked for the improvement of their pension funds in proportion with the poverty line, closing the gap in pension incomes and addressing issues in regard to supplementary insurance.

Bus and minibus drivers working in the transport service of Southern Pars assembled and protested against low wages in comparison to increasing transportation costs.

Monday, October 18

Some personnel of Ahvaz Water and Wastewater Company assembled in front of the company building to protest the upcoming merger with Khuzestan Water and Water Waste company, among other issues. They said that the merger would worsen the financial situation of the company and the quality of their service as happened after the merger of with rural Water & Wastewater Company with its counterpart in the province.

Tuesday, October 19

A number of citizens assembled in front of the parliament building to protest against unfair family laws especially “Mehrieh”, which relates to the certain amount of money or possession paid by the groom before marriage or later at any time on request of the bride.

A group of workers working in ShafaRud dam assembled in on company property in Rezvanshahr City. These workers have not been paid for seven months and more than 700 workers have been laid off due to the shutdown of the project.

A number of workers of Haft-Tappeh Company assembled and protested on company property. They have been on strike for 23 days. These workers demand payment of their delayed wages, an immediate return of the company from the private sector to public, the return of laid off workers to work, extension of the contracts of both seasonal workers and workers of the pest control department, and the carrying out of repair operations.

 

The workers of Hadid Mobtakeran Company assembled and protested unpaid wages, which have been delayed by two months. 

 

A number of customers of Azvico company (Azarbaijan Vehicle Industry), who had pre-purchased cars protested in front of the building of Economic Crimes Court in Tehran. These citizens have not yet received their purchased car after three years.

 

A group of people, who lost their investment in the Aftab Project, assembled in front of Rey City Court.

 

A group of poultry farmers assembled in front of the building of the Ministry of Agriculture Jihad in Tehran in protest of high incubator costs and government-imposed fixed prices.

A group of people who have not yet received their pre-ordered cars after several years from Persian Khodro Company, Ramak Khodro Company, Seyf Khodro Company, and Karma Company protested on Tuesday.

 

Workers of the private companies which are working as contractors for Bushehr Petrochemical Company went on strike once again. They demanded increased wages, changing shift-work schedule to 20 days work, 10 days off, improvement of worker accommodations and food. It is worth mentioning that since June 19, these workers have launched a campaign to call all oil industry workers to join the strike.

Wednesday, October 20

A number of depositors of Caspian, a finance and credit institution, assembled in front of the building of the Liquidation Board in Tehran. They said that after six years, this finance institution refuses to return their investments. 

“Today we assembled in front of the building of Liquidation Board,” one of the participants in this protest commented. “Once they did not respond, we went inside and they cut off the power of the building to force us to leave.”

Thursday, October 21

A number of workers for a garment factory Sabalan assembled in front of the governorate building in Ardabil to demand their unpaid wages, which have not been paid for three months. These workers say that while the company spends a lot of money on erecting pavilions, building restaurants in company premises, other expenses for tourist attractions, and paying some former politicians apparently as Consultants or board members, they do not pay workers’ wages.

A group of women’s rights activists and other citizens assembled at the Faezeh Maleki-Nia’s burial place in Dolat-Abad village to ask for the repeal of discrimanatory laws against women. On Sunday, October 3, 22-year-old Faezeh Maleki was burned to death by her father in Sanandaj City.