Dismissal of 9 Workers from Haft Tappeh Sugarcane Company; Summoning of Protesting Workers to Shush Judiciary Continues

The Haft Tappeh Sugarcane Workers' Syndicate announced in a statement that the "wave of dismissals" by the private employer of this unit and the "summoning of several workers to the Shush judiciary" continues. According to the statement from this labor organization, the private management of Haft Tappeh Sugarcane Company has prioritized the dismissal of workers instead of addressing their demands in the days following the cessation of the workers' protests, resulting in the dismissal of 9 workers. The Syndicate noted that two of the dismissed workers were among those who had been detained for three days during the recent strike. The workers' strike at Haft Tappeh was triggered by the non-payment of wages for the months of Ordibehesht and Khordad this year, as well as wages from Bahman and Esfand of 2015, eight months of last year's bonus, and bonuses from two years ago. They also demanded the return of ownership of this privatized unit to the government. The Syndicate further reported that the summoning of protesting workers to the Shush prosecutor's office continues. Previously, this labor organization reported the detention of at least 15 workers and the summoning of 53 workers to the Shush judiciary. The detained workers were released in two batches, and the summoned workers were freed after posting their pay slips and providing bail for their colleagues. The charges against this group of workers included "participating in recent strikes and inciting workers." In this context, the International Federation of Food, Agricultural and Allied Workers' Unions expressed its support for the Haft Tappeh workers, with Peter Rossman, the international and campaign officer of the federation, stating on Radio Farda that the federation would file a complaint with the International Labour Organization if the detention of these workers continues. A different report from ILNA news agency, citing its sources within Haft Tappeh Sugarcane Company, stated that the reason for the dismissal of the 9 workers was that, according to the employer, seven of them "left their workplace during working hours and went swimming." In contrast, the workers claimed that their prohibition from being at the workplace occurred after they decided to "wet their bodies and clothes with water to escape the heat and humidity." These workers noted that the weather in Khuzestan province had become extremely hot and humid in recent days, stating that for those who are to be exposed to this unbearable heat for long periods, getting wet is the only way to keep their bodies cool. In recent days, temperatures in several cities of Khuzestan province have exceeded 50 degrees Celsius. According to ILNA, two other workers were also identified by the management as being linked to the recent labor protests. In this regard, Siamak Afshar, the deputy director of Haft Tappeh Sugarcane Company, told ILNA that a decision regarding these 9 workers is expected in the coming days.