Thirteen Consecutive Days of Strikes in Iran’s Oil and Gas Sector
iran gas plant (1)
Written by
Secretariat of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI)
NCRI logoThe 13th day of the strike of project workers in the oil, gas, petrochemical, steel, power plants, and copper mines industries in 113 workshops and industrial companies in 38 cities in 13 provinces
Dismissing striking workers and arresting contractors who support workers’ demands
On Wednesday, May 3, project workers in the oil, gas, petrochemical, steel, power plants, and copper mines industries continued their strike for the 13th day. The strike affected at least 113 workshops and industrial companies in 38 cities across 13 provinces in Iran. However, instead of addressing the workers’ demands, the Iranian regime responded by intensifying anti-labor policies and taking action to suppress the strike. Contractors who supported the workers were arrested, and workers were fired or dismissed.
According to Fars News Agency, affiliated with the IRGC, contractors who violated the supply of manpower for development projects in South Pars were arrested with the support of the intelligence and security agencies of Bushehr province and decisive measure of the judiciary. Fars claimed that the contractors had committed numerous violations in the labor field and engaged in calls and counter-revolutionary measures, including strikes, in the South Pars region.
Meanwhile, in response to questions about the low salaries of workers, the labor minister of the regime acknowledged that it is difficult to live on such low wages but suggested that workers should be content with what they have.
According to Ilna News Agency, workers are sometimes left with no choice but to stop working and protest. The authorities’ careless handling of labor protests has fueled further unrest. However, authorities have responded by dismissing labor activists and protest leaders not only in Assaluyeh but in the Tehran subway too.
Secretariat of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI)
May 3, 2023