Strike at Urmia Cement Factory; Protests Over Wages and Discrimination Between Workers and Managers

Workers at the Urmia Cement Factory went on strike on Saturday morning, October 1, in protest of their wages. According to Telegram channels of the workers, the strikers emphasized that their monthly salary of 12 million tomans is insufficient for their livelihood. Meanwhile, the wages of contract workers are even lower than 12 million tomans. According to labor activists, contract workers with up to 25 years of experience receive only 7 million tomans in salary. In contrast, the report states that the salaries of managers at the Urmia Cement Factory are five times that of the workers, amounting to 60 million tomans per month. Key demands of the protesting workers include adjusting salaries based on inflation rates, implementing a salary equalization plan, formally hiring contract and unstable workers, and providing supplementary insurance for workers. Workers' protests regarding their living conditions have consistently faced repression from government agents, with several labor activists summoned, arrested, and imprisoned. Previously, the Free Union of Iranian Workers had written to the 'International Labor Union Section Worldwide,' requesting that they consider issues related to the 'widespread repression of workers, teachers, retirees, and all groups of laborers and independent organizations' as a continuation of the gross and blatant violation of workers' human rights in Iran. Foad Kikhisravi, a board member of this union, previously told Voice of America: 'The depth of the violation of workers' rights and the repression of labor movement activists has taken on very catastrophic dimensions.' A member of parliament stated: 'Housing has become inaccessible for workers and employees.' The price of bread has increased; again, subsidies have been removed from the 'table of the underprivileged.' Reyhaneh Ansarinezhad, a labor activist, has been summoned to serve a four-year prison sentence. Job security is threatened by the master-apprentice plan; a labor activist stated: 'They want to exploit workers.'