Strike of Thousands of Project Workers in Oil Regions Continues

The Council for Organizing Protests of Contract Oil Workers announced on Thursday, August 2, that the strike of thousands of project workers continues, noting that in some oil centers, contractors have accepted the demand for 14 days of work followed by 14 days of rest. The strike of project workers began on June 20 in the oil, gas, and petrochemical sectors. The council stated that project workers emphasize that the 14 days of work - 14 days of rest must come with full monthly wage payments and a 35% increase in wages. According to the Council for Organizing Protests of Contract Oil Workers, the striking project workers are also demanding the elimination of contractors, timely wage payments, necessary improvements in food quality and living conditions in camps, and workplace safety. The council pointed out that in a large part of the oil centers, contractors have still not agreed to the demands of project workers, adding: 'Our emphasis is that the strike is nationwide, the demands are nationwide, and we will not return to work until we receive a response.' Workers in various regions of Iran have repeatedly protested in recent years against living conditions and lack of safety at their workplaces. These protests are mainly related to the non-timely payment of wages, insurance rights, low wages, layoffs, and the continuation of privatization policies. Additionally, in many of these strikes and protests, the demand for the elimination of contracting companies has also been raised by workers. Meanwhile, according to the Telegram channel 'Civil Protest Market,' workers at Wagon Pars Company in Arak protested on Thursday against the 'poor performance and insults from the CEO and factory manager and the lack of coordination regarding the company's closing hours due to power outages,' staging a strike, march, and gathering. The report indicates that workers, especially due to 'the insults from the company's CEO who referred to them as thugs and rascals,' and also the military-like behavior of the management towards workers, staged a strike and gathering. Collective support from project workers in Assaluyeh for Sharifeh Mohammadi: 'No to execution.' The strike of thousands of oil project workers has reached one month. The Council for Organizing Protests of Informal Oil Workers has reiterated its support for the strike of project workers. The second week of the strike by water supply workers in Roudbar continues in protest against eight months of unpaid wages.