Over the past several days, Iran has witnessed a surge in industrial action and protests across multiple sectors, highlighting growing discontent among workers over wages, working conditions, and job security. The latest developments underscore the mounting pressures on the Iranian regime as it faces persistent economic challenges and widespread unrest.
Since June 19, more than 8,000 oil-sector workers have gone on strike across 65 sites in Iran, protesting against low wages, poor working conditions, and the lack of job security. This strike, which has grown significantly, now includes workers from the Iranian Offshore Oil Company, Mahshahr Oil Refinery, and several other key oil and gas facilities. The striking workers are demanding higher pay, better working conditions, and the implementation of a schedule that allows 14 days of work followed by 14 days of rest.
The Council for Organizing Protests by Oil Contract Workers (Arkan-e Sales) reported that the strike aims to eliminate contractors from the oil and gas sectors, secure wage increases, and ensure safer working conditions. The council highlighted that over 3,000 contract workers from 25 companies have joined the strike, emphasizing the need for uniform wages and conditions akin to official oil industry employees.
June 22—#Iran
More than 8,000 oil-sector workers on strike in different locations across the country, protesting low wages, poor working conditions, and lack of job security.
The strike, which began on June 19, has now expanded to 65 sites, with more workers joining every day.… pic.twitter.com/fuMVU1pNic— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) June 22, 2024
In Rafsanjan, southern Iran, retirees of the Rafsanjan Copper Company rallied in front of the pension fund office on June 22 to protest against unpaid arrears and the authorities’ failure to address their basic needs. The retirees, many of whom have not received their pensions for months, expressed their frustration and demanded immediate action from the government.
Simultaneously, in Tabriz, northwestern Iran, landowners of the Khavaran 2 town rallied in front of the provincial governorate, protesting 12 years of governmental indecision regarding their land rights. The demonstrators called for swift resolution of their issues, pending for over a decade.
The scope of worker protests is not limited to the oil sector. Reports indicate that workers from various industries, including telecommunications, education, and municipal services, are increasingly voicing their demands. According to the state-run ILNA news agency, the delay in eliminating contractors and the failure to convert temporary contracts into permanent ones have fueled a new wave of protests among project-based and continuous project workers in southern Iran.
The regime’s response to these protests has been mixed, with some officials acknowledging the workers’ grievances while others resort to threats. Alireza Mirghafari, a member of the Supreme Labor Council, revealed that protesting workers have received threatening text messages from contractors, warning them against continuing their strike.
June 22—Rafsanjan, southern #Iran
Retirees of Rafsanjan copper company rally in front of the pension fund office to protest unpaid arrears and authorities ignoring their demands for basic needs.#IranProtestspic.twitter.com/Ybo4tpxklD— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) June 22, 2024
This development comes amid broader concerns about the regime’s ability to address workers’ demands. The government’s reluctance to implement the “Staffing Plan,” which aims to regularize temporary workers’ employment, has further exacerbated tensions. Powerful contractor lobbies are believed to be stalling the plan’s approval by the Expediency Discernment Council, fearing a loss of their lucrative contracts.
Worker protests in Iran have been on the rise in recent years, driven by delayed wage payments, low salaries, layoffs, and privatization. An article in the newspaper Etemad on June 21 detailed that thousands of miners in coal, copper, iron ore, and chromium mines across various provinces have staged protests to demand their legal rights.
June 22—Tabriz, northwest #Iran
Landowners of the Khavaran 2 town rally in front of the provincial governorate, protesting 12 years of indecisiveness by the government.#IranProtests pic.twitter.com/utpFT5Jxhk— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) June 22, 2024
The report noted that out of 12 major miners’ protests in the past 27 months, 10 were centered around wage increases and delayed payments, with coal miners being the most significantly affected.
The ongoing strikes and protests across Iran reflect deep-rooted economic and social issues within the country. As the regime struggles to manage these growing demands, the situation highlights the critical need for groundbreaking change in the country.
Isfahan
"In this regime, there is no room for elections. It's time for a revolution" pic.twitter.com/x1THtlylrg— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) June 22, 2024