We are writing to express our wholehearted support for the demands put forth by the Ahvaz steel factory workers, who have initiated a vital strike and street protests since December 22nd. We wholeheartedly encourage all workers, from every industry and background, to stand in solidarity with the Ahvaz strikers!
One of the core objectives of this labor protest is to secure fair and just wages. The workers rightfully demand an increase in wages and the equalization of wages, along with the implementation of a robust job classification plan. We fully support and recognize the need to address these critical aspects of labor rights.
Furthermore, we stand firmly behind the call for the reinstatement of colleagues who were unjustly dismissed or suspended due to their participation in the strike. Additionally, removing corrupt management and the factory owner, Melli Bank, are essential steps towards achieving a fair work environment.
It is of utmost importance to acknowledge the glaring wage disparity between the Ahvaz steel factory and other similar facilities. This blatant inequity negatively impacts the lives and livelihoods of countless workers and must be addressed immediately.
Throughout this strike, both the company's CEO and government institutions have vehemently opposed the equalization of wages and the implementation of the job classification plan, in addition to other demands put forth by the workers. Their concerted efforts to disrupt the strike have been evident, as exemplified by the termination of 38 employees on two separate occasions. These actions were designed to intimidate the strikers and undermine the demands of the workers, and they serve as a stark reminder of the challenges faced by those standing up for their rights.
Despite the immense hardships endured by the workers – including wages below the poverty line and the relentless rise in living costs – they stood resolute, refusing to succumb to the pressures and threats faced by both the CEO and the oppressive government entities. Their unwavering determination fueled their ongoing strike, with additional demands calling for the reinstatement of terminated and suspended workers and the removal of any hindrances preventing their return to work.
During this strike, numerous other subsistence strikes and protests have surged throughout the country. From Tehran Municipality and Tabriz Bearing Manufacturing to pensioners of social security, national, cultural, telecommunications, steel, and nursing sectors, workers are fighting for their rights and demanding better wages and benefits. This wave of demonstrations echoes the profound need for improved conditions across a wide range of industries.
The Left Party of Iran extends its unequivocal support to the steel workers' strike along with the ongoing protests occurring weekly. We firmly stand in solidarity with all those advocating for meaningful change. Given the suppression of independent organizations and the government's onslaught on labor laws, leaving workers disenfranchised, we believe that organized and widespread strikes and protests, involving the establishment of an independent labor union, offer the most effective means for workers to safeguard their livelihoods, well-being, and rights. We endorse the establishment of a general assembly by the steelworkers to pave the way for an independent trade union organization that can serve as a source of inspiration for other workers.
Political-Executive Board of the Left Party of Iran
December 28, 2023
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