Follow the latest labor and occupational events in Iran during December 2018 here every day.
Latest events in December 2018:
- Farmers in Varzaneh protest against water rights cut: A number of farmers in Varzaneh, Isfahan province, gathered in protest against the cutting of their water rights. The protesting farmers, who have approached all relevant authorities for months due to insufficient water for agriculture, stated: "Our message to all responsible officials is: return our water rights! We say this loudly." They held placards expressing their legal demands and added: "For a farmer, lack of water is no different from death; why have they put the livelihoods of farmers in Isfahan at risk? We demand the return of the Zayandeh Rud water rights to the local people and farmers of Isfahan." According to a video shared on social media, the farmers chanted: "With cowardly officials, this problem will not be solved." Farmers in Varzaneh have held protests multiple times before.
- Families of detained workers of the National Industrial Steel Group protest: Families of several imprisoned workers of the National Industrial Steel Group gathered in front of the Khuzestan governor's office in Ahvaz on Tuesday, demanding their release. They held flyers reading: "Dad, I’m waiting for you," "Free my father," "Free my son," and "Imprisoned workers must be freed." The families demanded accountability from the provincial officials and the security council. Recently, 43 workers from this large industrial complex were arrested by security forces amid ongoing strikes by thousands of workers. At least 17 workers have been released, while 29 others remain imprisoned. In this context, the public prosecutor and the provincial intelligence director visited the National Industrial Steel Group and informed the workers that most detainees would not be released soon. Meanwhile, Karim Yavari, representative of the Minister of Cooperatives, Labor, and Social Welfare, stated that the release of all detained workers is being pursued. Previously, Farzaneh Zilabi, attorney for some workers, mentioned that some detainees were charged with "propaganda against the regime and actions against national security." Notably, the prosecutor in Ahvaz thanked the workers for their peaceful protests, stating: "Your non-damage to public property and cooperation with officials during this time shows that you only want your voice to be heard." Workers at the National Industrial Steel Group demand the resumption of production, timely payment of wages, and other occupational demands. Thousands of workers also seek the return of ownership of this complex to the government, a request the Rouhani administration opposes.
- Protests by workers of the Ahvaz urban train project continue: Reports indicate that protests by some workers of the Ahvaz urban train project, which began on Saturday due to the contractor's negligence and unpaid wages, continued on Sunday. This occupational protest took place in front of their workplace on Airport Street in Ahvaz, with workers stating they would continue their protests until at least part of their demands are met. One protesting worker mentioned that during the last gathering on December 2-3, the employer promised to pay the workers' demands by the end of December, but this promise has not been fulfilled. Reports indicate that 19 months of wages for the Ahvaz urban train project workers have not been paid by Kayson Company.
- Protests by workers at cement factories in Naein and Masjed Soleiman: Reports indicate protests by workers from two cement factories in Naein and Masjed Soleiman on Saturday and Sunday. Workers at Naein Cement Company protested the non-payment of five months' wages. Additionally, around 100 workers at the Masjed Soleiman Cement Factory protested on Saturday due to "lack of job security, non-payment of five months' wages, and two months' unpaid insurance." According to reports, 500 workers are employed at this factory, which produces 3,000 tons of cement annually. Meanwhile, the manager of the Masjed Soleiman Cement Factory stated that "the workers have no arrears, and he does not confirm the workers' claims." Previously, workers at this factory had protested multiple times due to unpaid wages and dues.
- Strike by workers at Tabriz Bearing Factory: A number of workers at the Tabriz Bearing Factory went on strike on Sunday in protest against the non-payment of four months of wage claims, gathering in the industrial unit's premises. According to reports, despite the factory being transferred from the private sector to the Industries Support Board last November, they are still owed four months of unpaid wages. Workers stated that in the past 14 months under the board's management, no significant changes have occurred in the factory's production activities, and financial problems persist. The Tabriz Bearing Factory had been privately owned for a decade but faced liquidity issues due to poor privatization practices, leading to wage claims being delayed for up to eight months. Workers noted that this factory was one of the most successful industrial units in East Azerbaijan province, previously selling its products in advance but is now facing production stagnation.
- Ismail Bakhshi's first Instagram post: Ismail Bakhshi, representative of the Haft Tappeh Sugarcane Workers, announced on Sunday in his first Instagram post after his release from prison that he has returned to work after 40 days. In his post, he shared two photos from his first day of freedom and his return to work, addressing the people of Iran under the title "Certificate of Appreciation," stating: "Although I no longer understand or comprehend the meaning of freedom, I felt a bit of freedom." He expressed gratitude to the people who remembered him during the "toughest moments of his life," adding: "In recent days, I was in a situation where neither pen helped nor my mind and soul, even words had become alien to me, but I can no longer bear this heavy burden. So I will try to write something in praise of a drop of your kindness with my disturbed spirit, my stuttering tongue, and my trembling pen." Bakhshi thanked workers, unions, teachers, students, medical and nursing communities, merchants, all professions and associations, artists, writers, and poets who supported him. He was arrested during the strikes and protests of the Haft Tappeh workers at the end of November. Reports emerged about severe physical and psychological pressures on him during his month-long imprisonment. Initially, judicial and governmental officials denied the torture allegations against Bakhshi, but the Haft Tappeh Workers' Syndicate reported that his family noticed his deteriorating physical condition during their visit.
- Release of some detained workers of the National Industrial Steel Group: Gholamreza Shariati, the governor of Khuzestan, announced on Saturday the release of over 20 imprisoned workers of the National Industrial Steel Group, stating that "the process of releasing the remaining detainees is underway." The official did not elaborate on the conditions of the workers' release or whether they were released on bail, adding that these details are with the judiciary. Additionally, according to ISNA, the governor mentioned that discussions have taken place with the prosecutor of the province to ensure the release of other detained workers. In this context, Mohammad Ali Jodari Foroughi, attorney for some workers of the National Industrial Steel Group, stated that six workers were released on Saturday and Sunday. Previously, the Iranian Free Workers' Union reported that the workers had labeled the governor's statements as "lies," announcing that by Saturday, 14 of their colleagues had been released while 29 others remained imprisoned. Following the release of three more on Sunday, 26 workers of the National Industrial Steel Group are still imprisoned. Recently, 43 workers from this large industrial complex were arrested by security forces amid ongoing strikes by thousands of workers. Workers demand the resumption of production, timely payment of wages, and other occupational demands. Thousands of workers also seek the return of ownership of this complex to the government, a request the Rouhani administration opposes. Meanwhile, Farzaneh Zilabi, attorney for some workers, stated that some detainees were charged with "propaganda against the regime and actions against national security." Notably, the prosecutor in Ahvaz thanked the workers for their peaceful protests, stating: "Your non-damage to public property and cooperation with officials during this time shows that you only want your voice to be heard."
- Night arrests of several workers from the Ahvaz Steel Group: Reports indicate that security forces arrested several workers from the National Steel Group in Ahvaz around 2 AM on Tuesday, having visited the homes of many workers. At least 29 of them have been identified. The Free Workers' Union reported that security forces visited the homes of other workers, but they were not present. During a protest by workers in front of the Intelligence Department in Ahvaz, two more workers were arrested. Khosrow Ghafouri, CEO of the National Steel Group, confirmed the arrest of several workers. Workers protested against "non-payment of wages and the indifference of factory managers in providing raw materials for production." In recent months, labor protests in Iran, especially in Khuzestan province, have entered a new phase with strikes and prolonged protests.