Hundreds of Iran’s National Steel Industry Group workers in Ahvaz staged gathering in front of government offices and chanted slogans to protest against unpaid wages and poor working conditions. Today marks the 11th consecutive day of their strike and protests, which is happening in parallel to other similar protests and strike in the oil-rich Khuzestan province and other cities across the country including 16 consecutive days of strike and protests by Haft Tappeh Sugar Mill Workers in the city of Shush.
Like many other workers across Iran, Ahvaz steel workers have not received their wages for several months.
They also lack job security and are facing suppression when they voice their demands. They have gone on strike and staged protests several times in the past months.
On Tuesday, the protesters vowed to continue their protests until their demands are met while chanting the slogan, “We will not give in to disgrace.”
The Free Union of Iran’s Workers reported that the Iranian regime deployed Special Forces and police units along with many plain-clothes agents to the factory on Tuesday under the pretext of securing the area for a visit by the governor and other regime officials. Security forces tried to prevent workers from leaving the factory to resume their protests, but the workers resisted and forced the security forces to back off. They left the factory and headed for the governor’s office to have their voices heard in the streets.
The protesters of Ahvaz steel company have also garnered the support of the workers of the Haft Tappeh Sugar Mill workers in Shush, also in Khuzestan, who have been protesting against unpaid wages and poor working conditions for several weeks. The two groups of protesters have found solidarity in their common cause and have been voicing support for each other in previous days.
According to reports, after 11 days of non-stop protests, a representative of the government, the manager of Khuzestan’s unemployment insurance, went to speak with Ahvaz Steel Workers and respond to their needs.
The workers told him that they will not listen to empty words. “We want to feed our families,” the workers said. “What you’re telling us doesn’t put food on the table. We are workers. Why is your TV station calling us thugs? We’re not here to take donations. We want our salaries and rights and we will continue (the protests) until we obtain them.”
In other videos displaying the demonstrations, the workers of Ahvaz steel company are chanting, “Let go of Syria, think about us.” The Iranian regime spends billions of dollars on foreign wars and meddling in other countries. People across Iran are criticizing the regime for paying for its foreign ventures out of their pockets.
Watch Video of the Demonstration Here
More Videos of Ahvaz Steel & Haft Tappeh Workers Protests
Clip 1 + Clip 2 + Clip 3 + Clip 4 + Clip 5
