June26, 2021
To all workers unions around the world
Dear Friends!
You are probably aware that tens of thousands of oil workers and oil related industries are on strike in Iran since 29 June 2021 . These are mostly contract workers, or workers employed by agencies and contractors. On the other hand, the permanent and official workers too, are preparing for a strike 30th July, due to the reduction of wages and the pressures of work and the insecurity and unsafely of the workplace. Thus, the nationwide protest covers all of Iran’s oil industries and the scope of strikes is becoming wider every day. Refineries, petrochemical companies and power plants in various cities such as Abadan, Ahvaz, Tehran, Qeshm, Bushehr, Gachsaran, Khark, Assaluyeh, Kerman, Urmia, Behbahan, South Pars, Arak and various Iranian ports are on strike.
Workers’ main demand is pay rise (specifically they demand that no worker should receive less than 12 milion toman (ca $290/month) which is existing poverty line in Iran) and the level of wages should be set in accordance with the level of skills and expertise of every worker, and the work schedule must be changed to 20 days work in lieu of 10 days off. These are at the top of the workers’ demands. Besides these workers want job security and an end to agencies’ contracts and an end to temporary contracts, which cover more than 97% of employment in the oil industry. An important demand of the workers is the repeal of the laws of the special economic zones, which is in fact pure lawlessness, and the employers in these zones are free to impose any conditions on the workers.
The oil workers have declared in a statement signed by “Oil Workers’ Protest Organizing Council” that if they do not get response within one month, they will expand their protests nationwide.
Meanwhile, a number of striking workers have been fired and replaced by new forces. For example, 700 striking workers have been fired at the Tehran refinery.
These protests have set the stage for nationwide strikes in Iran and are being widely talked about among the people.The workers’ demands are in fact the voice of all the people against poverty, high prices, discrimination, inequality, insecurity and lack of human rights and dignity. These protests are a reaction to the criminal Islamic regime and a protest to the repression, looting and theft by officials. The workers and the people openly declared in the recent so called presidential election that this is not an election and it has nothing to do with the workers and they will not vote. As expected, the regime appointed Raisi the killer Ayatollah as their president, in reality the strikes are a reaction to this sham election and appointment of this assassin, one of his crimes is issuance of execution sentences for thousands of political prisoners in the summer of 1988.
Oil striking workers and protesters in Iran today need the most global support.
Free Them Now, the Campaign to free jailed workers in Iran expects the widest possible support from workers of the world, workers unions and organisations, and all humanitarian organizations around the world. So far, some unions have expressed their support for the oil workers in Iran. Join this solidarity and support movement. We look forward to receiving your letters of support. Today, Iranian workers are protesting and striking against an oppressive government and mafia capitalism. Support the striking oil workers in Iran.
Free Them Now (FTN)