In Shush, southwest Iran, workers of the Pars Paper factory have entered their eleventh day of strikes and protests in front of the Shush governorate. This protest comes as 12 workers have been summoned to security and judicial authorities.
Over 800 workers of the Pars Paper factory demand the removal of contractors, adjustment of workers’ wages to match those of companies in the region, full operation of production lines, elimination of discrimination, job security, and improvement of working conditions and benefits.
The workers’ protests began on the first day of April and escalated after the closure of some production lines and the dismissal of around 100 workers. These protests prompted the employer to agree to reinstate dismissed workers. However, recent reports suggest that 12 workers have been summoned to judicial and security authorities on the eve of International Workers’ Day, May 1.
April 30—Shush, southwest #Iran
Workers of Pars Paper continue strikes and protests in front of Shush governorate. #IranProtests pic.twitter.com/NG9fnxk0u1— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) April 30, 2024
Instances of workers being dismissed or facing security and judicial actions due to their protests against living conditions have been reported in various regions of Iran in recent years.
Meanwhile, in Isfahan, central Iran, gold merchants continue their strikes in protest against new legislation imposing heavy taxes on their sales.
The protests and strikes by workers in various parts of Iran have expanded in recent years. Among the issues raised by protesters are low wages, unpaid wages and benefits, layoffs, and privatization.
April 30—Isfahan, central #Iran
Gold merchants continue strikes in protest to new legislation that levies heavy taxes on their sales.#IranProtestspic.twitter.com/OwSmumWZ6T— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) April 30, 2024
Social media reports indicate that at least two participants in a retirement pensioners and teachers’ rally in Ahvaz on Tuesday, April 30, were detained by the authorities after the gathering.
Retirement pensioners’ associations have identified the detainees as Ahmad Nochian, a retired teacher, and Mohammad Zaman Kamrava, a retired pensioner. Some of these associations also mentioned that Ahmad Nochian’s spouse was also detained by Ahvaz Intelligence Bureau officials.
PMOI Resistance Units mark International Workers Day with the projection of images and messages of Iranian Resistance leaders.#Iran #PMOI #IranProtests pic.twitter.com/abQrCuGa4d
— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) April 30, 2024
Bandar Abbas
"Khamenei is the enemy of the working class" pic.twitter.com/w0hZ6BL5yw— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) April 30, 2024