Three Labor Organizations Demand Minimum Wage Increase and Payment of Arrears

Three labor organizations in Iran issued a joint statement on the occasion of May Day, International Workers' Day, demanding an increase in the monthly minimum wage from 930,000 tomans to 4 million tomans this year and emphasizing the need for the payment of workers' overdue wages and the abolition of blank contracts. The Syndicate of Workers of the Tehran and Suburbs Bus Company, the Syndicate of Workers of Haft Tappeh Sugarcane, and the Coordination Committee to Help Establish Labor Organizations stated that the 930,000 toman wage is an example of creating difficult conditions for workers. The monthly wage of 930,000 tomans was set by the Supreme Labor Council last Esfand, while the Wage Committee of 1396, composed of representatives from the government, employers, and labor organizations recognized by the Islamic Republic, had announced just days before this decision that the monthly livelihood basket for a working family is 2,480,000 tomans. The three independent labor organizations, which have faced security and judicial pressures in recent years, pointed out that "workers have no job security, do not have sufficient and effective social insurance, and temporary contracts and contracting companies have cut their livelihoods." According to some news agencies, over 93% of workers are employed under temporary contracts. In their statement, these organizations declared that "such a situation will not be tolerable for workers and the working masses of the people" and referred to the protests of transport workers, industrial workers, service workers, teachers, nurses, and retirees in recent years. Reports from news agencies and labor websites in Iran indicate strikes, gatherings, or marches by workers in various regions protesting the non-payment of wages and benefits for several months, layoffs under the guise of workforce adjustments, privatization of factories and companies, and the closure of production units in recent years. Ending the policy of eliminating subsidies, price liberalization, layoffs and unemployment of workers, and ensuring adequate unemployment insurance for the unemployed, as well as halting attempts to change labor laws, are other demands of these three labor organizations. They called for full equality of rights for women and men, management of the Social Security Organization by elected and genuine representatives of workers, and access for workers to the facilities and benefits of social insurance. These independent labor organizations condemned the security and judicial confrontations and demanded the formation of independent labor unions and adherence to fundamental labor rights, especially ILO Conventions 87 and 98 regarding "freedom to establish independent organizations" and "collective bargaining agreements." They also emphasized the immediate cessation of pressure, case fabrication, and the issuance of flogging sentences, detention, and imprisonment for workers and labor, civil, and social activists, calling for the immediate and unconditional release of all imprisoned workers and labor activists. ILNA news agency and local and labor websites have repeatedly reported on the summons, detention, or issuance of flogging and prison sentences for labor activists and workers protesting their working conditions, including 17 dismissed workers from the Agh Dareh gold mine in West Azerbaijan province. Meanwhile, according to the latest news, the Islamic Revolutionary Court in Dezful has summoned Ali Nejati, a board member of the Haft Tappeh Sugarcane Workers' Syndicate, Ashraf Rahimkhani and Zeynab Keshvari, activists in the women's sector, and Ezzat Jafari, Shapur Rashnou, Ali Mohammad Jahangiri, and Shakri on charges of propaganda against the regime for May 13. Simultaneously, according to the Free Workers' Union of Iran, Shith Amani, a board member of this labor organization, was summoned and interrogated by the intelligence department of Sanandaj after requesting permission to hold May Day ceremonies there. In this context, Amnesty International, on the eve of this year's May Day, called on Iranian authorities to immediately release those imprisoned for peaceful labor activities. Amnesty's statement mentioned Ismail Abdi, a member of the Teachers' Guild sentenced to 6 years in prison, and Behnam Ebrahimzadeh, a labor activist with a nearly 13-year prison sentence. Amnesty also described the trial process for labor activists as "severely unfair" and expressed concern for the fate of 9 labor activists, including Davood Razavi, Ebrahim Madadi, Mahmoud Salehi, Jafar Azimzadeh, and Shapur Ehsani Rad, who are awaiting the execution of their prison sentences. The three labor organizations also called for the prohibition of child labor, access for all children to free and equal educational, welfare, and health facilities, and the elimination of discrimination and injustice against migrant workers in Iran, including Afghan migrant workers. Recognizing May 1, International Workers' Day, as an official holiday and abolishing any restrictions on holding ceremonies for this day are other demands of these three labor organizations. In the lead-up to May Day, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the leader of the Islamic Republic, emphasized the importance of "ensuring job security" and "providing for workers' livelihoods," considering them two important duties of officials. Speaking during a meeting with "a group of workers and entrepreneurs," he added, "To have an advanced and independent economy and economic prosperity, we must give great importance to the working class, and if we want the working community to enjoy deserving privileges and rights, we must emphasize national production." Khamenei's remarks come at a time when reports from news agencies and labor websites indicate gatherings, strikes, and marches by workers in various regions of Iran. Protests that have continued for up to two months regarding the HEPKO factory in Arak. In this context, Hossein Zolfaqari, the Deputy Minister of Security and Law Enforcement, stated on December 21 of last year that "social, labor, and professional protests in Iran have increased by 69% in the past three years." At the same time, the determination of the monthly minimum wage of 930,000 tomans for workers this year has led to protests from independent labor organizations as well as those recognized by the government. Part of Khamenei's remarks was dedicated to "the enemies' efforts to pit the working community against the Islamic Republic." He stated that this effort began from the very first days of the revolution, saying, "Despite these efforts, workers have always sided with the system and supported it, and in fact, the devout and active working community has dealt blows to the enemies of the country over the years." These remarks come as the local site "Kalaleh News" reported on February 5, 2016, news and images of the IRGC and Basij forces' maneuvers in the city of Kalaleh in Golestan province to confront "rioting workers." Previously, Abbas Jafari Dolat Abadi, the public and revolutionary prosecutor of Tehran, had asked the police to be prepared for any gathering that he claimed would take place "in front of an official authority of the country." This statement followed a gathering of about 300 employees of petrochemical companies in Arak, Isfahan, and Amir Kabir (from Bandar Imam) in front of the Ministry of Oil and a gathering of several radiologists in front of the Ministry of Health, Treatment, and Medical Education. Additionally, the judiciary of Khuzestan province issued a circular in December 2015 declaring the gathering of petrochemical workers demanding their overdue wages as "illegal" and prohibited, warning that any "disruption" in company order would be dealt with.