Today, Wednesday, May 7, third-party (non-direct hire) oil workers, in accordance with a prior call to action, held a protest in front of the Ministry of Oil along with their families. According to the Organizing Council of Protests by Informal Oil Workers, a large number of workers from various operational regions participated in this gathering.
Reports indicated that special units and plainclothes security forces were present at intervals around the protest. However, the workers continued their gathering, chanting slogans and voicing their demands, undeterred by the security presence.
The main demands of the third-party oil workers include:
- Elimination of intermediary contractors and direct employment,
- Wage equalization,
- Reform of the tax calculation method,
- Implementation of the job classification plan,
- Issuance of the “Naft Card” (oil card) like other employees,
- Access to banking facilities equal to other employees,
- Access to welfare services and facilities,
- Marriage and childbirth bonuses equal to other employees,
- Establishment of housing cooperatives,
- Timely payment of wages in line with direct employees,
- Implementation of the Administrative Justice Court’s ruling No. 3188,
- Recognition of “absorption rights” under the same ruling.
During the protest, workers chanted:
- “Worker!, raise your voice, shout for your rights!,”
- “He is called a minister, but he supports contractors!”
- “Fair wages are our undeniable right.”
A day earlier, on Tuesday, May 6, retired oil workers also held a gathering in Amanieh , Ahvaz, to pursue their demands. They emphasized nationwide worker solidarity with the chant:
- “Employed, and retired, united, united.”
They also chanted:
- “They looted the oil fund and left us destitute,”
- “Retirees are awake and reject division,”
- “Retiree! raise your voice, shout for your rights,”
- “Free healthcare is our undeniable right,”
- “A retiree’s salary only lasts a week,”
- “Expenses are in dollars, our salaries are in rials,”
- “Dignity and respect are our rightful demands,”
- “Inflation and high prices are ruining people’s lives,”
- “If you stay silent, you’ll keep getting half wages,”
- “Livelihood and dignity are our basic rights,”
- “We won’t rest until we secure our rights.”