Today, July 14, the strike of more than 24,000 oil project workers has passed its 24th day. The strike is going on in 123 oil and gas centres. According to the reports published by the “Council for Organizing Protests of Oil Contract Workers”, the contractors are trying to break this strike in various ways, including by trying to hire new workers even by offering higher wages. However, they have not succeeded and no one is ready to cooperate with them. An increase in wages according to the workers’ declared demand, 14 days of work and 14 days of rest, and removal of contractors are the three immediate demands of these workers. In addition, the oil project workers have unanswered demands regarding the miserable working conditions and the unbearable condition of the dormitories, the poor quality of food, and the insecurity of the work environment. They are decisively pursuing their demands.
Removal of middle agencies and contractors is a national demand of oil workers. Third pillar workers (Arkan e Saales) have also held many rallies on this request. In this regard, the Council for Organizing Protests of Unofficial Oil Workers (the third pillars) has broadcast the protests of oil project workers in a news report and declared its strong support for these workers. This council’ statement writes: “Right now, together with us, the workers of third pillars, contractual and official oil workers are protesting at the same time as the large strikes of the project colleagues, whose headlines are the most important news every day. We stand against any policy of discrimination and division. The slogan of unity against poverty and corruption unites us in this fight against the root of our pain, and our unity destroys the root of oppression and exploitation”. This message shows the close connection between project workers’ protests and third pillars workers.
On the other hand, formal oil workers’ protests continue in various centres, against the government’s livelihood attacks, and for their demands. Today the formal workers in Aghajari Oil and Gas Exploitation complex went on strike; also the formal oil workers at the Continental Plateau Company in Lawan started a protest rally on July 12. The demands of these workers are removal of corrupt managers, removal of the salary cap, removal of the limitation of retirement pays, full implementation of Article 10 and payment of its arrears, non-separation of jobs in operational areas and refund of the excess tax withheld.
The atmosphere of protest is widespread in various oil sectors. Protests in the oil industry have directly affected protests in other workers’ sectors and have attracted the focus of whole society. These protests should be widely supported.
July 14, 2024