Continued Controversies at Chavar Petrochemical in Ilam: Promises Unfulfilled, Workers Disciplined

The ILNA news agency reported the disciplining of workers at the Chavar Petrochemical plant, stating that the promises made by the plant's management have not been fulfilled. According to the workers at the Chavar Petrochemical in Ilam, the job classification plan and contract organization were supposed to be implemented last month, but 'there is still no news of the fulfillment of promises, and hundreds of contract workers remain in limbo.' The workers claim that not only have the promises not been kept, but after the 'suicide' of a worker last month, several protesting workers were 'banned from entering and disciplined'; this is while it was supposed that the reasons for the worker's 'suicide' would be addressed. Previously, the Hengaw human rights organization reported on Thursday, July 27, that Haidar Mohseni, one of the workers at Chavar Petrochemical in Ilam province, 'committed suicide and ended his life' after being dismissed by the company's security. According to this report, there have been notable suicides among employees of petrochemical industries in Ilam, and on August 7 and 8 last year, Ali-Mohammad Karimi and Mohammad Mansouri, two young workers of this company, committed suicide due to 'family and economic problems' after being dismissed from work. In connection with the suicides of workers, ILNA noted the increase in the number of worker suicides, writing that 'the livelihood crisis surrounds the workers' lives from all sides and constantly threatens them.' In recent years, due to the worsening economic situation and the unsatisfactory conditions of wages, benefits, and workplace safety, various cities in Iran have witnessed labor protests. An unemployed worker from the Abadan refinery committed suicide due to 'poverty and lack of money.' The intensification of the economic crisis's consequences on society; the suicide of four workers from 'Chavar Petrochemical' in one year; suicide after dismissal; a worker from Chavar Petrochemical in Ilam ended his life; retirees demanded the resignation of the Minister of Labor on International Workers' Day; a livelihood basket of 21 million tomans.