A group of workers from the 'Khaf Iron Ore Mine' protested against the existence of 'three-month temporary contracts' and the lack of 'job security.' Some of these contract workers told the 'ILNA' news agency that the employer's imposition of 'three-month temporary contracts' has put their job security at 'risk.' The protesting workers from the Khaf mine stated that in such a situation, every three months, the employer can 'terminate our employment' at will, while many of the workers have 'over ten years of work experience.' The Khaf Iron Ore Mine is part of the 'Sangan Iron Ore Complex' in Razavi Khorasan province in eastern Iran and is considered one of the largest iron ore reserves in the Middle East according to many experts. The mine was operated by 'Iran Barite' from 1971 to 1978, after which it was closed for a while and then transferred to investors such as Opal Parsian, Mobarakeh Steel Complex (Sangan Steel), and others from the early 1980s onwards, with state and military shareholders. According to the protesting workers, 'several contractors' work in the Khaf mines under the main company, and after their contracts end, they are changed or transferred to other mines 'without settling accounts with the workers.' They stated that 'many workers' are employed in the Khaf iron ore mines and those working under contractors are demanding the 'elimination of contractors and job security.' 'Short-term contracts' are recognized in the labor law of the Islamic Republic, and in the absence of labor unions, it allows employers to dismiss workers and violate their rights easily. Many workers and activists in this field say that 'three-month contracts' are a policy of some employers to 'easily' violate workers' rights in labor offices under the Islamic Republic or in dispute resolution authorities and even the judicial institutions of the Iranian government. The continuation of worker deaths in Iran; a labor activist: 'A very small number' of 'workplace accidents' are reported. Two labor organizations condemned the 'brutal punishment' of flogging for 17 workers of the National Steel Group. The Revolutionary Court of Ahvaz sentenced 17 protesting workers of the National Steel Company to flogging. A court is trying workers in Agh-Dareh for demanding 'employment for local individuals' with security charges. Security charges have been filed against the workers of the 'Agh-Dareh' mine in Takab, and a bail of 6 billion rials has been set. The strike of a thousand contract workers at the Chadormalu mine in Yazd has entered its second day.
Iron Ore Mine Workers in Khaf Protest Three-Month Contracts: We Lack Job Security
Workers at the Khaf Iron Ore Mine protested against three-month temporary contracts that threaten their job security. Many workers, some with over a decade of experience, demand the elimination of contractors and better employment conditions. This situation highlights ongoing labor rights issues in Iran, where short-term contracts are common and labor unions are absent.
👥 Key Players
📰 What Happened
Workers at the Khaf Iron Ore Mine protested against the use of three-month temporary contracts, citing a lack of job security. They are demanding the elimination of contractors and more stable employment conditions.
- Workers have over ten years of experience but face job insecurity due to short-term contracts.
- The mine is part of a major iron ore complex in Iran, highlighting the significance of the protest.
💡 Why It Matters
📚 Background
Iran's labor laws allow for short-term contracts, which are often used to limit workers' rights and job security. The absence of labor unions exacerbates these issues.
Translated from the original and edited for English readers. View original source →
Translation confidence: 85%