Management and government officials entered into negotiations with workers’ representatives
On Thursday, December 28, workers from all sections of Ahvaz National Steel Group, stopped work and gathered in all departments of the company on the sixth day of their protest. The management and government officials asked the workers to participate in a meeting for negotiation. Representatives of the workers are participating in this meeting with the representatives of the provincial labor office and the National Bank (Bank e Melli) and several government agencies. National bank owns the company. However the workers emphasized clearly their demands announced in their speeches that they will negotiate, but they will not compromise with anyone on their demands, and will not stop fighting, if not getting their demands.
The immediate demands announced by these workers are: removing the ban on entering the company of some of their colleagues, return to work of previously fired workers, equalizing their wages with the workers of neighbouring steel companies, full and immediate implementation of job classification, removal of the corrupt CEO and expropriation of ownership from the National Bank and the participation of workers in the management of the company.
Ahvaz National Steel Group workers have a well-established traditions like gathering in general assembly for collective decision-making.
Four labor organizations in Iran namely Haft Teappeh Sugarcane Workers Union, Retired Union Group, Coordinating Committee to Help Establish Labor Organizations and Retired Workers of Khuzestan have announced their support for the protests of steel workers. These supports and solidarity should be expanded.