Hepco Factory Worker Attempts Suicide During Protest Gathering

One of the workers at Hepco factory in Arak attempted suicide during a protest gathering of the factory’s workers.

Irana Labor News Agency reported that workers at this factory, continuing their efforts to press their labor demands, gathered on Sunday, May 13, in front of the company building in Arak.

During the gathering, one of the company’s workers stood on a bridge and attempted suicide, which was prevented by people present at the scene.

Workers at this factory, who are owed several months of wages, gathered to protest over unfulfilled employer promises regarding wage demands and the unclear status of the factory.

Hepco workers in Arak have repeatedly protested in recent years over delayed wages following the factory’s privatization, and have called for the return of ownership to the state.

Economic recession, bankruptcy of production units, and mismanagement have resulted in many workers being deprived of receiving their wages and benefits. To the extent that during recent months, almost every day one or several protest gatherings have been held by workers.

Some reports indicate that approximately six thousand labor protests have been held in the past year, mostly in protest over unpaid wages for several months, mass layoffs, uncertainty following the privatization of factories to the private sector, and low wages.

Source: Voice of America