Strikes in Iran

Submitted by Matthew on 12 October, 2011 - 10:37

6,500 workers on temporary contracts and working in the state-owned petrochemical complexes in Bandar Imam, south Iran, began a strike on 28 September.

Other workers on permanent contracts have shown their solidarity. Temporary workers are fighting for the right to collective bargaining and permanent contracts.

In April this year workers in the Tabriz petrochemical company also took strike action for the right to collective bargaining. Workers in other sectors and international organisations gave the striking workers necessary strength and confidence. That strike was suspended following government promises to respond to the demand of the striking workers, but that turned out to be an empty promise

More than 70% of Iranian workers are on temporary contracts, and 80% of these are beneath the poverty line. The official minimum wage is around £190 a month. That applies to the poorest eight million workers, not counting those in workshops with fewer than ten workers who are paid less than the minimum wage.

Some workers have not received wages for up to 18 months.

• More: workers-iran.org

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