Truck drivers in Iran call for another national strike as authorities fail to meet demands
Truck drivers in Iran have called for a national strike between 17 December 2018 (the National Day of Transport) and 31st December 2018.
The truck drivers are going on strike as the authorities failed to meet their demands which were raised in the previous strikes.
On 9th December 2018, truck drivers of Mah-Neshan city in Qazvin province went on strike in objection to high prices of car parts and detrimental working conditions. On the same day, leased drivers of a drilling corporation in south Iran – Khuzestan province – went on strike in objection to unpaid wages and the poverty that has been imposed on them.
Retirees in Iran call for another assembly in front of Majles (parliament) to protest inhumanity
Retirees in Iran have called for another day of protest in front of the Majles (parliament) on 18th December 2018.
The retirees have held many assemblies over the past few years to protest against poverty, lack of rights, embezzlement, widespread misery, low wages, the massive gap between the rich and poor, and to demand free and quality education and healthcare for all. One of the main demands of the retirees has been the release of all imprisoned workers and political prisoners.
You’ve come to the wrong address!” striking steelworkers tell special armed forces in Khuzestan, Iran
On 16th December 2018, striking steelworkers of the National Steel Group of Ahvaz in Khuzestan province, Iran, together with their families and members of the public marched through the city on the 37th day of the strike.
The workers and members of the public faced the heavy presence of special armed forces when they tried to hold another protest in front of Mr Jazayeri’s office, the representative of Ali Khamenei in the province. The protesters chanted: “Long live workers, down with oppressors!” and “Our enemy is right here, it’s a lie that it’s in the USA.”
Abdollah Darvishi, one of the striking workers, gave a speech in which he objected to the presence of the special armed forces. “We are not Daesh (ISIS), we are not terrorists, we are not dependent on anyone, we don’t have an armed branch, and you’ve formed your lines against us. You’re from us and we are from you. The billionaires who have gone to Canada and Australia to enjoy their time in casinos, they are the ones responsible for the misery of the people of Iran. You’ve come to the wrong address!”
Tareq Khaleghi, another steelworker issued an ultimatum in his speech at the protest: “If by the end of this week something is not done about the situation of the National Steel Group of Ahvaz, you’ll see more than 1500 steelworkers in Tehran!” The protesters welcomed his speech with cheering and chants. Tareq added: “Keep your fists up! This unity of steelworkers of Ahvaz will not be broken by any conspiracy or plot.” The workers hold weekly public assemblies to make decisions collectively and to ensure that everyone is heard and all participate in the decision-making.
The striking steelworkers of Ahvaz, with their determination and resilience, are representing the demands of the majority to end poverty, discrimination and corruption; they have received massive support from within Iran and internationally.
“Exploitation, unemployment, capitalism’s flag!” Women lead protest of striking steelworkers in Iran
On 15th December 2018, the 36th day of their strike, workers of the National Steel Group of Ahvaz in Khuzestan province, Iran, marched through the city along with members of the public and despite the heavy presence of armed forces of the Islamic Republic.
“Exploitation, unemployment, capitalism’s flag!” the people and the workers chanted as they marched across Naderi Bridge towards the city centre. Women were at the front of the united and strong lines of the protesters whilst the special armed forces were standing by, letting the workers and members of the public pass through.
“We stand united against anyone who wants to violate our rights,” said Meysam Al Mehdi, one of the representatives of the striking steelworkers. In his speech he addressed the police: “Each of us is a drop of rain, we all stand together until we flush out the mafia.” After his speech, the protesters chanted, “Down with the mafia!”
During the protest, the workers and the people paused in front of government offices and other locations where workers’ representatives delivered speeches. Karim Siahi and Gharib Hoveizavi also addressed the people.
On 14th December, there was an assembly in the corporation where Mr Mahjoob, a member of the Iranian parliament (Majles) who is also the general director of “Home of Labour” (the regime’s labour organisation) faced passionate speeches by some of the workers. Mr Barati, one of the workers, objected to the closure of the corporation and the way the livelihood of the workers and their families has been put in danger. Another worker, Tareq Khalqi, said: “Unfortunately, some people think that our demands are only about wages. Our unpaid wages is the basis of the list. We want a guarantee for the supply of raw materials to reach the full potential of the corporation.”
Municipality workers in several cities in Iran protest against unpaid wages and expulsions
On 10th December 2018, municipality workers along with fire-fighters of Abadan city in Khuzestan province held an assembly in front of the central municipality office to protest against the non-payment of wages, unfair contracts and expulsion of workers.
In the past week, municipality workers in different cities in Iran protested and went on strike. Workers in Esfahan, Sisakht, Dezfoul, Abadan, Ahvaz, Shooshtar, Zabol and other cities continued to raise their objection to non-payment of wages and unfair contracts.
The workers have labelled their temporary contracts as “slave-like” deals. Many workers have been sacked and many are in danger of expulsion.
Non-payment of wages of municipality workers is widespread in Iran and many workers face dire conditions as a result.
Striking steelworkers and people in Iran: “Our country is home to thieves like nowhere else in the world”.
On 11th December 2018, Meysam Al Mehdi, one of the striking steelworkers of the National Steel Group of Ahvaz in Khuzestan province, Iran, who had been arrested a day earlier, was released as a result of the persistent protest by his colleagues.
On the morning of 11th December, the striking workers gathered in front of the provincial governor’s office and strongly condemned the pressure and arrests and stated that such actions would only result in more confrontation.
After the assembly, the workers marched through the streets of Ahvaz where members of the public joined them. The number of women who took part in the protest was significant.
Striking workers Karim Siahi, Tareq Khalghi and Gharib Hoveizavi gave speeches for the workers and members of the public in front of Jazayeri mosque, the office and home of Khamenei’s representative.
Gharib Hoveizavi spoke against embezzlement and theft: “I’ve lost everything. I’ve come to the street to say that I’ve been robbed. Look at how ridiculous it is how the police and the intelligence services treat me and do nothing about the thieves. What kind of situation is this? Does anyone understand? Do they confront the robbed or the thieves?” The workers and members of the public chanted “Our country is home to thieves like nowhere else in world”.
In front of Melli Bank (National Bank) which is the current owner of the National Steel Group of Ahvaz, the workers and the people threw eggs at the bank and chanted “Down with the mafia!”, “Death of Steel Group because of National Bank”.
As the striking steelworkers and the people marched through the streets of Ahvaz they chanted “Imprisoned workers must be freed”, “Haft Tapeh prisoners must be freed”, “Neither threats nor prison are any longer effective”, “Workers would rather die than to accept abjection”, “Incompetent authorities, resign! Resign!”, and other slogans against poverty, injustice, lack of rights and oppression.
Esmaeil Bakhshi, workers’ representative and leader in Iran, has been released!
On 12th December 2018, Esmaeil Bakhshi, the beloved representative and leader of sugar cane workers of Haft Tapeh, was released from captivity. Congratulations to all workers, people and the family of Esmaeil Bakhshi.
Esmaeil Bakhshi has been a great influence in the leadership of the struggle of Haft Tapeh workers and their unity. His uncompromising and passionate defence of justice has found a place in the hearts of many in Iran and internationally. Undoubtedly, his freedom brings joy to the millions who followed the news and campaigned for his release over the past 24 days.
Workers of Haft Tapeh, steelworkers of Ahvaz, workers’ organisations, university students in Iran and many international workers and humanitarian federations joined the struggle to free Esmaeil and forced the regime to release him.
Ali Nejati, another representative of Haft Tapeh workers, as well as student activists Sepideh Gholiyan and Asal Mohamadi, who were arrested for reporting the strike, are still in custody. The Islamic Republic of Iran has also built cases of national security against many workers in Iran.
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.”
Sugar cane workers in Iran hold assembly to demand release of Esmaeil Bakhshi
On 9th December 2018, sugar cane workers of Haft Tapeh in Khuzestan province, Iran, held an assembly to protest the failure of the new general director of the corporation, Mr Kazemi, to fulfil his promise to free Esmaeil Bakhshi by 8th December.
Mr Kazemi and the head of the provincial judiciary had released a statement in which they announced that Esmaeil Bakhshi would be released on 7th December. When he wasn’t released as promised, a group of workers and the family of Esmaeil Bakhshi went to Ahvaz and gathered in front of the prison.
The prison guards took no responsibility and passed them on to other authorities in the judiciary where the workers and the family were told that Esmaeil Bakhshi would not be released and that his case had been referred to the revolutionary court.
After the disappointing day the workers called for a gathering and protest in their workplace to demand the release of Esmaeil Bakhshi, Sepideh Gholiyan, Ali Nejati and Asal Mohamadi (another student who was arrested for reporting the strike).
The workers have condemned accusations such as “gathering and conspiracy against national security” against workers.
Farzaneh Zilabi, solicitor of the arrested workers, said that Esmaeil Bakhshi has been accused of forming a group to interfere with national security.
The sugar cane workers of Haft Tapeh have received support and messages of solidarity from different corners of Iran and internationally. On “student day” in Iran, 7 December 2018, students from different universities expressed their support for the workers in their protests and statements.