Second Day of Strike by Workers of National Steel Group in Ahvaz

Hundreds of workers from the National Industrial Steel Group in Ahvaz continued their strike on Wednesday, February 4, in protest against the management's delay in reviewing the job classification plan. This strike began on Tuesday, February 3, according to ILNA news agency, and the workers also held a protest gathering. According to the report, the job classification plan for the workers was supposed to be reflected in their January salaries, but this action was not taken by the management. ILNA quoted worker representatives stating that if the company delays the implementation of the job classification plan, the effects of this plan for the next year may be nullified. The promise to implement this plan was made following a multi-day strike by workers in January, and the workers had previously indicated that they would protest again if it was not realized. Additionally, the management of the National Industrial Steel Group had previously stated that under the classification plan, wages would only increase by 10%, but after the strike and negotiations, it was agreed that this amount would be reviewed. Alongside this issue, based on an agreement between management and workers, about 40 workers who were not barred from entering the company returned to work, and it was agreed that 10 million tomans would be paid as an advance until the end of Esfand for the purpose of wage equalization and implementation of the job classification plan. Currently, the management of the National Industrial Steel Group is under the control of the National Bank of Iran, and workers are protesting this situation. The independent workers' voice channel reported on Tuesday that the strike would continue until Saturday, February 7. Meanwhile, a number of workers at the Tabas coke plant in South Khorasan province also protested against the reduction of wage and welfare benefits, going on strike and gathering. According to ILNA, these workers stated that about 360 workers with extensive experience are working under the most difficult conditions and pollution in this factory, but their minimum wage does not cover their living expenses. The Tabas coke plant workers called for solutions to the problems of this factory and pointed out that since the plant began operations, despite making profits, workers have faced difficulties. They emphasized that if the plant is profitable, workers should also receive a small share of it. This is while the management of the coke plant has reduced some benefits related to production rights, bonuses, and non-cash welfare and seasonal aids that were paid to them in previous years, and in some cases, completely cut them off. The protesting workers stated that while coke production this year was almost double that of last year, the employer cites 'lack of financial resources' as the reason for cutting wage benefits. They added, 'Before the changes, an average of 30 to 40 million tomans was paid to each worker for these benefits and production bonuses last year, but this year we have not received any payments, even for occasions.' These workers also called for a review and full implementation of the job classification plan. In recent years, labor protests have expanded in various regions of Iran.