Follow the latest labor and occupational events in Iran during Esfand 1397 here every day.
On the sixth day of their protest, over 200 contract workers at the central workshop of the Abadan refinery demanded the implementation of a job classification plan. According to ILNA news agency, these workers claim there is a significant disparity in their salaries compared to other contract workers at the Abadan refinery, receiving the lowest base salary. The contract workers have been pursuing the implementation of the job classification plan for years, but contractors under contract with the refinery refuse to comply. They also protested against what they called the contractors' negligence in paying their severance, bonuses, and vacation rights.
The case of Ismail Bakhshi, Ali Najati, and other defendants from the Haft Tappeh sugarcane company has been referred to the Tehran Public and Revolutionary Prosecutor's Office. Farzaneh Zeylabi, the lawyer for several Haft Tappeh workers, announced that the cases of her clients, including Ismail Bakhshi and Ali Najati, have been transferred following a proposal from the Attorney General and the approval of the Supreme Court. She noted that the case of the workers' strike at Haft Tappeh is still under review after months, with some protesting workers currently detained. Zeylabi mentioned that Bakhshi was arrested due to a complaint from the Minister of Intelligence, and he had previously spent about a month in prison.
President Hassan Rouhani announced on Sunday that in the next year's budget, a 20% increase in salaries for employees and more than 20% for workers has been planned. Currently, the minimum monthly wage for workers is 1,115,000 tomans, while the Research Center of the Parliament states that the livelihood basket for a household is 3,760,000 tomans per month. Decisions regarding workers' wages fall under the authority of the Supreme Labor Council. Rouhani's statements come amid criticism from economists who believe the inflation rate is higher than reported and warn of a sharp increase in inflation next year.
A member of the Parliament's Industries and Mines Commission stated that due to price increases this year, workers have been left without adequate wages. He emphasized that many workers live on a monthly salary of 1,500,000 tomans, which has severe repercussions for Iran's economy and reduces workers' productivity and the quality of goods. He called for a portion of the profits from rising prices to be allocated to increasing workers' wages.
Retired workers from Haft Tappeh sugarcane company protested on Thursday, demanding the payment of their severance rights, leading to a halt in production at the company. Reports indicate that their overdue wages and bonuses have not been paid, and their insurance premiums have not been covered, resulting in their social security cards not being renewed.
The fourth session of the Supreme Labor Council, aimed at finalizing next year's wage for workers, ended without results. Employer representatives proposed a 23.5% increase in the minimum wage. If approved, this would add approximately 300,000 tomans to the current minimum wage. Independent labor organizations have called for a minimum wage of 7,000,000 tomans for the next year.
On Tuesday, Ismail Bakhshi's mother staged a sit-in at the Haft Tappeh company, demanding her son's release, supported by several workers. Bakhshi was arrested on January 30, following a complaint from the Minister of Intelligence. He had previously been detained with civil activist Sepideh Ghalean, both of whom reported being tortured during their detention, a claim denied by the Ministry of Intelligence.
Independent labor organizations criticized the discrimination against women in Iran, calling for the elimination of gender discrimination and improved living and working conditions for women on the occasion of International Women's Day. They demanded equal rights for women in various aspects, including work and education, and the abolition of compulsory hijab laws.