Striking steelworkers in Iran: “Incompetent authorities, resign! Resign!”
On 10th December 2018, striking workers of the National Steel Group of Ahvaz in Khuzeatan province, Iran, protested again in the city of Ahvaz on the 31st day of their strike.
The striking workers along with members of the public first gathered in front of the provincial governor’s office where they chanted slogans against embezzlers, incompetence and carelessness of the authorities. The protesters expressed their outrage at the government and the inhuman conditions that are imposed on the people. They shouted “Incompetent authorities, resign! Resign!” and other slogans.
The protesters blocked the road in front of the office and home of Mr Jazayeri, representative of Ali Khamenei in the province, and shouted slogans against “thieves and parasites” and vowed to stay in the streets until their demands are met.
“Let her go, let her go” a strong group of workers charged at the armed forces when they tried to take away a captured journalist. In the sensational scene the workers managed to free the journalist.
In the evening of 1oth December, a group of striking steelworkers attended a meeting of government officials in a mosque where the workers raised their voices against the reps “Why don’t you identify the mafia? Name them! Name them! They have destroyed our lives.”
“Incompetent authorities, resign resign!” Striking steelworkers in Iran tell the authorities
On 19th December 2018, striking workers of National Steel Group of Ahvaz in Khuzeatan province, Iran, again protested in city of Ahvaz on the 31st day of their strike.
The striking workers along with some member of the public first gathered in front of provincial governor’s office where they chanted slogans against embezzlers, incompetence and carelessness of the authorities. The protestors expressed their outrage against the government and imposition of the inhuman conditions on the people by shouting “incompetent authorities, resign resign” and other slogans.
The protestors blocked the road in front of office and home of Mr Jazayeri, representative of Ali Khamenie in the province, where the workers and the people shouted slogans against “thieves and parasites” and pledge to stay in the streets as long as it takes until their demands are met.
“Let her go, let her go” a strong group of workers charged at the armed forces when they tried to take away a captured journalist. In the sensational scene the workers managed to free the journalist.
In evening of 18th December, a group of striking steelworkers attended a meeting of government officials in a mosque where the workers raised their voices against the reps “why don’t you point out the mafia? Name them! Name them! They have destroyed our lives.”
Islamic regime of Iran announced end of strike – not the workers. Sugar cane workers insist on their demands
The long-running and strong strike of the Haft Tapeh sugar cane workers in Khuzestan province, Iran, that mobilised society has left the Islamic Republic in such a desperate situation that it sent out its mercenaries to confront the striking workers.
On 2nd December 2018, groups from different organisations of the Islamic regime – that included members of the Islamic Majles (parliament), leaders of the Friday prayer, members of student Basij, representatives of the judiciary and armed police – in cooperation with the new general director of the corporation, Mr Kazemi, appeared in front of the workers in the workplace. They have also organised a group of their mercenaries.
With the group and some of the workers who didn’t feel that they could continue to strike due to the financial pressure, the representatives of the regime and the new general director announced the end of the strike. Ilna, the regime’ media organisation echoed the news.
A larger group of the workers refused to go back to work and continued the strike. They try to bring back unity among all the workers. In the past few days the workers have been discussing the matter and will make a final decision collectively.
So far it is clear that all the workers, including the ones who were not able to continue to strike, are all in agreement over their demands.
Despite the that fact that Islamic Republic arrested Esmail Bakhshi, the brave and vigilant leader of the workers, and Ali Nejati, the famous personality and secretary of the Haft Tapeh union, they couldn’t break the strike and had to bring in their mercenaries and make promises to the workers. Some of these promises are the payment of their unpaid wages, change of the contracts from one month to six months and reviewing the case of Esmail Bakhshi.
Steelworkers of Ahvaz, Iran, present “a flower and a thorn” to friends and foes at their protest
On 5th December 2018, striking steelworkers of the Steel National Group of Ahvaz in Khuzestan province, Iran, protested in the city of Ahvaz and in front of various government offices.
Karim Siahi, one of the steelworkers, held a flower and delivered a speech: “I present this flower to all the university students who have supported our strike, to the students who have heard our call for justice and stand by us. And this thorn to those who stand against you. We also become the thorn in your face.” The protestors cheered and welcomed his speech.
The striking workers and the people confirmed their solidarity with the sugar cane workers of Haft Tapeh and chanted “imprisoned workers must be freed!” and “Haft Tapeh prisoners must be freed!”
The thousands of workers and members of the public marched through the city and chanted against injustice, poverty and the inhuman conditions that have been imposed on workers and people of Iran.
The steelworkers, like the sugar cane workers, demand payment of their unpaid wages, an end to the private ownership of their factory, the running of the factory under supervision of the workers and the release of Haft Tapeh workers.