Conditional End of Strike at Haft Tappeh and Release of Sepideh Ghollian

Haft Tappeh workers, on the condition of the reinstatement of dismissed colleagues, closure of cases, payment of insurance premiums, overdue wages, and retirees’ claims, ended their 72-day strike. Sepideh Ghollian, a labor activist, was also temporarily released on a bail of 200 million tomans.

Protesting workers at Haft Tappeh sugar cane complex, with commitments received from the employer, have conditionally and temporarily halted their strike.

In a statement published by the independent channel of Haft Tappeh workers and the website of the “Free Union of Iranian Workers,” it stated: “Given the employer’s commitment to rehire dismissed colleagues within less than five days, given the firm promise to close all open cases against colleagues at the Shush prosecutor’s office, and considering the employer’s removal of authority to dismiss workers outside the disciplinary committee, provision and distribution of work clothes and shoes twice a year, a specified and written timeline for wage payments (Mehr month wages on December 16, Aban month wages on January 5, and December onwards wages on time without delay), payment of retirees’ claims ultimately within the next three months, immediate and unconditional renewal of insurance booklets and payment of insurance lists, provision of customary claims, spouse benefits, hazard pay, commuting allowance, bonuses and benefits, Ramadan payments, and numerous other matters including increased food allowance, colleagues today Tuesday decided to temporarily suspend the strike by conditionally accepting the minutes signed between the employer and city officials.”

Simultaneously with the suspension of the strike at Haft Tappeh sugar cane complex, Mahdiyeh Golro, a women’s rights activist, announced the release of Sepideh Ghollian on Twitter.

Sepideh Ghollian, a labor activist residing in Dezful, who was arrested twice in the fall and winter of 2018 in connection with labor protests at Haft Tappeh, was released from Qarchak Varamin prison on November 25, 2019 on a bail of 500 million tomans, but 22 days later was returned to prison during recent protests.

The Haft Tappeh sugar cane workers’ union announced that Ghollian has been temporarily released on a bail of 200 million tomans until the completion of legal proceedings.

ILNA news agency previously reported that on the evening of Tuesday, December 3, and following labor negotiations between workers and members of Shush’s Supply Council at the governorate, the strike at Haft Tappeh sugar cane complex ended and workers returned to work: “As it appears in the meeting between representatives of workers, members of the Supply Council and the employer, the employer agreed to some workers’ demands and it was decided that Mehr month wages would be paid within 20 days.”

According to ILNA, the employer was obliged to purchase the necessary clothing for workers and gradually distribute it among them starting next week: “Retirees’ claims will also be paid in three installments by the end of the year, and other legal benefits will be paid to workers according to the labor law guidelines and resolutions.”

Haft Tappeh workers, in a final effort to secure their overdue wages, gathered in front of the complex’s office on Sunday, December 1.

Source: DW