According to reports from the Council for Organizing Protests of Non-formal Oil Workers (Third-Pillars Workers), on the morning of December 24th, 5,000 workers from the 12 refineries of the South Pars Gas Complex held a large gathering at the complex. During this event, they emphasized their demands through chants and speeches. On this day, the workers, filled with anger, chanted:
- “From slogans to action! no more empty promises,”
- “One word, one word: fair wages for all, and that’s it,”
- “Rights are our demand; justice is our expectation.”
A number of intelligence agents and plainclothes forces were present along the entrance of the Special Zone at certain intervals, but the large and angry crowd of workers left them unable to intervene, and they merely observed.
According to these reports, the workers have previously held 16 separate protest gatherings and two integrated demonstrations on November 27th and December 11th to pursue their demands, but they have only received promises in response. Today marked their third major and fervent protest. On this day, the workers issued an ultimatum, warning that if their demands are not met, they will escalate their protests.
The main demands of the third-party workers in South Pars include:
- The complete removal of contracting agancies,
- The right to organize, gather, and protest,
- An end to the atmosphere of intimidation and suppression,
- The immediate reinstatement of Yaser Ahmadinejad, a protesting worker at National Drilling,
- Proper implementation of the job classification plan and equal pay system with official employees,
- Regulation of the drivers’ situation,
- Organization of the rotational commuting system for administrative and support workers,
- Fulfillment of previous agreements regarding paid leave and compensation for camp stays.
The protests have expanded among oil workers and now encompass all sectors of the oil industry.