The new wave of protests by the Haft-Tappeh Sugarcane workers has now entered its sixth day. These protests are against the renewed auctioning of the company, the uncertainty surrounding its transfer to the Khuzestan Sugarcane Development and ancillary Industries companies, and the company’s current ambiguous state.
Today, January 5th, a group of these workers travelled to Ahvaz and staged a protest rally. On this day, the workers marched from a square near the Red Crescent to the governor’s office, chanting their slogans. The workers shouted: “Workers will die, but won’t accept humiliation,”,”Haft-Tappeh workers, unite, unite,”, “Iranians, shout out, demand your rights.”
Two days ago, over 3,000 of these workers from various sections, including irrigation, agriculture, and administration, gathered in the company premises and marched towards the Haft-Tappeh market.
Haft-Tappeh has become a significant stronghold of struggle and resistance. Over the years, through their remarkable struggles, these workers managed to oust the private sector and the corrupt Asadbeigi gang, which had deep ties to various government factions. This was a clear victory and they celebrated it as a major achievement for Haft Tappeh and the entire labor movement.
Today’s protests are against behind-the-scenes efforts to re-auction the company and reopen the doors to private sector control—a policy that threatens the workers and endangers the job security of thousands of Haft-Tappeh sugarcane workers.
Current Demands and Struggles
The ongoing protests aim to formalize the transfer of Haft-Tappeh Sugarcane to the Khuzestan Sugarcane Development and ancillary industries. The workers are protesting against the worsening economic conditions amidst skyrocketing inflation and the jeopardized state of their job security.
In these protests, the workers have issued a statement outlining their demands, with a primary focus on ensuring job security and clarifying the company’s status. They continue to call for the reinstatement of Esmail Bakhshi, a popular worker activist who has played a pivotal role in advancing the struggles of the Haft-Tappeh workers. This demand remains central and must not be overlooked.
With full strength, these protests must be supported and backed.