Protests by Operational Forces of the Ministry of Oil: We Are Not High Earners, Implement 'Article 10' of the Ministry Law

Some employees of the operational section of the Ministry of Oil of the Islamic Republic are protesting against the non-implementation of 'Article 10' of the law regarding the duties and powers of the Ministry of Oil. These protesting forces have told the ILNA news agency that operational employees of the Ministry of Oil are 'not high earners' and their salaries are paid after 'thirty years of round-the-clock work, working on holidays and non-holidays.' According to them, operational tasks 'cannot be suspended' and the work of operational forces 'cannot be compared to other jobs'; therefore, 'these workers cannot be considered under the civil and military service law.' Article 10 of the law states that the administrative, employment, and salary payment systems for those employees of the Ministry of Oil's subsidiary companies who work in 'operational and specialized units' are subject to a specific regulation aimed at 'enhancing competitiveness and accelerating the exploitation of shared fields and retaining specialized human resources.' Accordingly, the administrative, employment, and salary payment processes for these employees 'are not required to comply with the civil service management law,' while adhering to other relevant laws and regulations, and are prepared 'upon the proposal of the Ministry of Oil and the approval of the Vice President for Management Development and Human Capital' and must be approved by the President within a maximum of six months after coming into effect. Despite the 'drafting of regulations' and notification, this codified and official law of the Islamic Republic has still not been implemented and remains a significant point of protest for operational employees of the Ministry of Oil. Protests over the non-implementation of this law have been repeatedly announced at various gatherings of employees in this ministry, including a gathering on November 22 by official employees of the Ministry of Oil at the oil export terminal on Khark Island. Previously, official employees of the Ministry of Oil working in the continental oil company located in the Siri region, the oil-rich southern areas, and the oil and gas exploitation company in Aghajari had also gathered in protest against the lack of attention to their demands, including the non-implementation of 'Article 10.' According to a report from the Free Workers' Union of Iran's news agency, among the issues of concern for official employees of the Ministry of Oil working in operational centers is the protest against 'the lack of attention to demands such as the complete removal of salary caps, the removal of retirement age restrictions, the return of excess tax deductions, the full implementation of Article 10, the payment of back pay due to delays in its implementation, and the non-interference with the pension fund of oil workers.' The continuous rise in inflation, the inconsistency of employees' salaries with the minimum household needs, and the non-implementation of certain laws and promises by the officials of the Islamic Republic to address shortages and widespread injustices in livelihoods have led to widespread protests among employees in the oil and gas sector of Iran.