Dozens of National Steel Group Workers Arrested and Taken to Drug Police Detention
The Free Union of Iranian Workers reported the arrest of dozens of workers from Iran’s National Steel Industrial Group in Ahvaz, from Monday night, June 10, until Tuesday, June 11.
According to the labor union’s report, approximately 50 workers were arrested by special police forces during a gathering held Monday night at Kianpars Circle in Ahvaz.
Based on this report, at least 15 workers were also arrested during a gathering held on Tuesday in front of the Khuzestan Governor’s Office.
The Free Union of Iranian Workers has published the names of 32 of the arrested workers.
The labor organization noted that the arrested workers are being held in a drug police detention facility. The Free Union of Iranian Workers considers this action “a spiteful insult to Iran’s working class.”
Meanwhile, the gathering of National Steel Industrial Group workers continued on Tuesday in front of the Khuzestan Governor’s Office, with workers demanding the release of their colleagues.
Based on videos circulated on social media, protesting workers chanted: “Imprisoned workers must be freed.”
The Free Union of Iranian Workers reported that at least eight workers have been released. Meanwhile, protesters have been told that workers involved in Monday’s attack on the offices of three parliamentary representatives in Ahvaz will remain in detention, while others will be released.
Nevertheless, workers of Iran’s National Steel Industrial Group have stated: “If someone is to remain in detention for protesting at the representatives’ offices, then all of us should remain in detention because this protest was carried out by all of us workers.”
Based on this report, workers at this major industrial facility have stated: “Those who have not paid workers’ wages for three months and, due to competition over seizing and plundering the factory, have created the current situation and exposed thousands of workers’ families to unbearable hardships and problems should be detained.”
In recent months’ marches and gatherings, workers have repeatedly protested against the performance of the private employer of Iran’s National Steel Industrial Group.
Meanwhile, based on a video released by the Free Union of Iranian Workers, a worker, criticizing why those responsible for creating the current situation at Iran’s National Steel Industrial Group should not be held accountable, said: “Should I be arrested and made to pay? Should I be interrogated? What kind of law is this?”
A new round of labor protests by National Steel Industrial Group workers began eight days ago. For several months, they have been on strike, holding gatherings and marches in protest against unpaid wages and the inability of the private owner of this facility.
Meanwhile, according to ILNA news agency, Gholamreza Shariati, Governor of Khuzestan, said on Tuesday without referring to the reason for the workers’ arrests that the governor’s office is following up on the situation of arrested workers.
He attributed the National Steel Industrial Group workers’ gatherings to lack of raw materials and outstanding wage arrears. Three months of workers’ wages and insurance premiums have not been paid.
According to ILNA, four thousand workers at this major industrial facility are also demanding clarification of the company’s ownership status, addressing supplementary insurance and social security insurance issues.
Based on reports, due to unpaid insurance premiums, their medical booklets are not being renewed.
The ownership status of Iran’s National Steel Group is also unclear. Officials from the Ministry of Cooperatives, Labor and Social Welfare and the Khuzestan Governor’s Office have spoken of returning its ownership to Bank Melli, but based on reports, Abdolreza Mousavi, the private owner, and his managers continue to be present in the company.
Source: Radio Farda
