Dozens of Workers from National Steel Group Arrested and Sent to Drug Detention Center

The Free Workers Union of Iran reported the arrest of dozens of workers from the National Industrial Steel Group in Ahvaz, from the night of June 11 to June 12. According to this labor organization, nearly 50 workers were arrested during a gathering held on the night of June 11 at Kianpars Square in Ahvaz by a special police unit. At least 15 workers were also arrested during a gathering on June 12 in front of the Khuzestan Governor's Office. The Free Workers Union of Iran published the names of 32 of the arrested workers. This labor organization noted that the arrested workers are being held in a drug police detention center, calling this action a "barbaric insult to the working class of Iran." Meanwhile, the gathering of workers from the National Industrial Steel Group continued on June 12 in front of the Khuzestan Governor's Office, demanding the release of their colleagues. According to videos shared on social media, protesting workers chanted: "Imprisoned workers must be freed." The Free Workers Union of Iran also reported that at least eight workers have been released, while it was stated to the protesters that those who participated in the attack on the offices of three members of parliament in Ahvaz on June 11 would remain in custody, while the others would be released. Nevertheless, the workers of the National Industrial Steel Group declared, "If anyone is to remain in custody for protesting at the representatives' offices, then all of us should remain in custody because this protest was carried out by all of us workers." According to the report, the workers of this large industrial unit stated, "Those who should be detained are the ones who have not paid our wages for three months and have created the current situation due to competition over the factory and its plundering, putting thousands of working families in unbearable hardships and problems." In their recent marches and gatherings, workers have repeatedly protested against the actions of the private employer of the National Industrial Steel Group. In the meantime, according to a video released by the Free Workers Union of Iran, a worker criticized why those who created the current situation in the National Industrial Steel Group should not be held accountable for their actions, saying: "Should I be arrested and held accountable? What kind of law is this?" The new wave of protests by the workers of the National Industrial Steel Group began eight days ago. They have been striking, gathering, and marching for several months in protest of unpaid wages and the inability of the private owner of this unit. Meanwhile, according to ILNA news agency, Gholamreza Shariati, the governor of Khuzestan, on June 12, without mentioning the reason for the workers' arrests, stated that the governor's office is following up on the situation of the detained workers. He attributed the workers' gatherings to a lack of raw materials and wage arrears. Three months of wages and their insurance premiums have not been paid. According to ILNA, four thousand workers of this large industrial unit are also demanding clarity on the ownership status of the company and the resolution of their supplementary insurance and social security issues. Reports indicate that due to the non-payment of premiums, their medical insurance cards are not being renewed. Furthermore, the ownership status of the National Industrial Steel Group is unclear. Officials from the Ministry of Cooperatives, Labor, and Social Welfare and the Khuzestan Governor's Office have spoken of returning ownership to the National Bank, but according to reports, Abdolreza Mousavi, the private owner, and his managers are still present in the company.