Possibility of Nationwide Holiday Extension in Iran; Oil and Gas Workers' Discontent with Government Decision

Telegram channels of oil and gas workers reacted to the government's decision to declare Wednesday and Thursday as holidays, noting that this holiday does not apply to workers in units such as drilling rigs. One of these channels stated that 'the annual salary increase and the amount of tax deductions for workers and employees in oil regions are the same as those for other employees in pleasant climate areas.' Previously, the government spokesperson had tweeted about the government's approval of the two-day holiday. Ali Bahadori Jahromi wrote: 'Considering the unprecedented heat in recent days and to protect citizens' health, the cabinet agreed to the Ministry of Health's proposal for a nationwide holiday on Wednesday and Thursday.' Following this, Ahmad Vahidi, the Minister of Interior of the Islamic Republic, said on Wednesday, August 2, that the holidays might continue 'due to the heat' and 'to protect citizens' health,' but this decision was contingent on 'the Ministry of Health's assessment.' In this context, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Health also stated on Wednesday that 'in the past two to three weeks, visits by heart and blood pressure patients have increased by 10 percent, which is not unrelated to the rise in temperature.' Pedram Pak-Ayin emphasized that if the temperature exceeds a certain threshold; 'in such a way that it poses a risk to people's health, a proposal for holidays will be raised again.' ISNA news agency reported on Tuesday, August 1, that the temperature in four cities in Khuzestan province had exceeded 50 degrees Celsius, noting that the temperature in Abadan on the same day was over 50 degrees Celsius. The decision by Ebrahim Raisi's government has faced reactions, including some social media users pointing out that when the two-day holiday was announced, the temperature in some Iranian cities was below 20 degrees Celsius. However, the most significant reactions, particularly critical ones, came from Telegram channels of oil and gas workers. The Telegram channel 'Oil Thoughts' wrote: 'Operational colleagues, these holidays are not for you,' and urged them to 'resist under the scorching sun.' The Telegram channel 'Third Elements of the Ministry of Oil' also wrote that 'the entire Iran was shut down for two days, except for us who must suffer under the burning sun.' Additionally, the website 'Oil Online' stated: 'While the non-holiday status of oil and drilling operations may seem logical given the necessity of oil production, senior managers in the oil industry must answer what measures they have taken to increase the motivation of operational personnel who are working in the unprecedented heat of these days.' According to this report, the annual salary increase and the amount of tax deductions for workers and employees in oil regions are the same as those for other employees in pleasant climate areas. The website noted that to date, no responsible official has provided a clear response to this issue. 'Oil Online' reported that 'for years, many days of the year have seen administrative offices and executive bodies shut down due to severe dust storms or unprecedented heat, yet operational personnel in the oil and drilling industry continue to work in operational areas under unprecedented heat and very bad weather.' Meanwhile, according to ILNA news agency, Mosaddegh Keshavarzi, the Director General of Cooperatives, Labor, and Social Welfare in Bushehr province, said on Wednesday: 'Given the increasing intensity of heat and humidity, employers should adjust workers' working hours.' He added: 'In the hot season, control systems such as cooling devices, awnings, protective shields, exhaust fans, and other facilities, including stress control equipment, are necessary.' This official stated: 'The working environment must be tolerable in every respect, and the amount of clothing a person wears must be appropriate for the type of activity they perform in the environment.' So far, there has been no news regarding the Ministry of Oil's or contracting companies' actions to change the working hours of oil and gas workers or to provide control systems in hot regions. Previously, workers and employees in their protests and strikes had demanded wage increases and benefits, as well as access to necessary welfare and health facilities. In this context, oil and gas workers are not alone in criticizing the government's decision. The Telegram channel of the Tehran Metro Operators Union also wrote: 'Due to the heat, the entire country was shut down, and it seems our skin is sunproof, while the operational and train guidance personnel remain uncovered.' Protests by workers of the Hejdak mine in Kerman; working at a depth of 400 meters with the lowest wages. Intensifying the consequences of the economic crisis on society; four workers from 'Petrochemical Chavar' committed suicide in one year. Media reports of endless inflation; workers' share of life is watching prices and nothing else. Suicide after dismissal; a worker from Petrochemical Chavar in Ilam ended his life. Thousands of residents of Malashieh have had no drinking water for a month. Hundreds of contract workers from the Ministry of Oil gathered in front of the presidential office.