Strike of Thousands of Isfahan Steelworkers; Workers Demand 30% Wage Increase

The Free Union of Iranian Workers reported a strike involving "several thousand" workers from various sections of the Isfahan Steel Company on Saturday, December 2. The scale and participation in the strike were significant enough that even state-affiliated news agencies could not ignore it, with the Fars news agency reporting that a labor gathering had taken place. The Telegram channel of the Free Union of Iranian Workers stated that this strike was a continuation of protests against the lack of attention to the workers' demands, and workers and employees gathered in front of the management building after marching within the factory premises. According to the report, Isfahan Steel workers, alongside protesting against poor living conditions and low wages, are pursuing demands such as the proper implementation of the job classification plan, wage parity with other steel companies, wage increases, and "other wage items." On Sunday, December 4, Isfahan Steel workers had also announced a hunger strike in protest by refusing to accept company food. Foad Keykhosravi, a board member of the Free Union of Iranian Workers, told VOA that "according to reports received, over 3,000 workers from various sections of the Isfahan Steel Company, including steelmaking, casting, converters, blast furnaces, agglomeration, coking, rolling, and other sections participated in the strike." He noted that "besides the widespread nature of this gathering, another point of strength for this protest movement is the participation of afternoon and night shift workers alongside day shift workers." Keykhosravi further stated that the workers specifically demand the reform and full implementation of the job classification plan, which has been poorly executed since 2014. The workers have indicated that they seek a wage restoration and a 30% increase before the end of the year 1402 (March 2024) to help bridge the significant gap between wages and living costs with the official wage increase expected next year. He added that increasing bonuses and other wage items and aligning wages with other steel companies, including Mobarakeh Steel, are among the workers' demands. This board member of the Free Union of Iranian Workers pointed out that another strength of the Isfahan Steel workers' protest is that following the widespread suppression of protests on February 26 of last year, which involved deploying a large number of special guard forces to the company and arresting many workers, this large gathering took shape despite the continued severe security atmosphere and recent security threats. Meanwhile, the Fars news agency, affiliated with the Revolutionary Guards, reported that "the CEO is talking to the workers and this gathering has no impact on production processes, as those with specific production posts are working." In recent years, workers' protests in various regions of Iran have expanded through strikes, gatherings, and marches. In this context, the government has attempted to prevent these protests by intensifying security and judicial crackdowns, but these measures have not been successful for the government.