Fifth Day of Strikes by Ahvaz Steel Workers; Contract Workers at South Pars Refineries Protest

On Saturday, February 7, workers from the National Industrial Steel Group of Iran gathered in front of the Khuzestan Governor's Office, the local governor's office, the judiciary, and the National Bank of Iran in Ahvaz, marking the fifth day of their strike in protest against the unmet demands of their profession. Simultaneously, contract workers from Arkan Salis employed at the South Pars refineries also held their fourth protest Saturday. According to reports, the striking workers chanted slogans such as 'Be aware, fellow citizens, we are workers, not thugs' and 'National Bank, have some shame, let go of the National Group' to express their discontent over the employer's failure, the National Bank of Iran, to revise the job classification plan. The Telegram channel 'Independent Voice of National Steel Workers' reported that the National Bank of Iran, which manages this industrial complex, despite promises to pay 50% of the job classification plan, has only agreed to pay 5% plus 1.5 million tomans. According to ILNA news agency, the job classification plan for these workers was supposed to be reflected in their January salaries, but management failed to implement this. The workers of the National Steel Group in Ahvaz, who began their strike on January 23, announced they would continue until Saturday, February 7. Concurrently, contract workers from Arkan Salis at the South Pars refineries also protested for the fourth Saturday. According to the Telegram channel 'Civil Market Protest', the protesters are demanding the full implementation of the job classification plan, a two-by-two rotation for administrative and support staff, and the organization of the situation for contracted drivers. Meanwhile, workers at the Hegmataneh Petrochemical Company in Hamadan also protested due to not receiving their salaries for seven months. In recent years, worker protests, especially in the oil, gas, and petrochemical sectors of Iran, have increased. A number of shopkeepers and youth in Javanrud, Kermanshah province, also marched in protest against living conditions and restrictions on the import of border goods. The dire economic situation in recent months has repeatedly driven various professions to the streets in protest, and occupational and livelihood gatherings continue to occur several days a week in cities across Iran. Workers from the Offshore Oil Company in Behregan also held a protest. Four labor organizations and groups stated that the monthly wage for workers next year should be 45 million tomans. Criticism of 'regional wages' continues; a union activist stated that the government is trying to reduce workers' purchasing power. A statement from the workers of the National Steel Group in Ahvaz was issued on the third day of their strike.