Several Protesting Workers Arrested at Miduk Copper Complex Following Employer Dispute

Following the arrest of several protesting workers at the Miduk copper complex in Shahrbabak, Kerman province, a group of workers from this facility held a gathering in support of those detained.

Iran Labor News Agency, ILNA, reported on Tuesday, November 22, that a group of Miduk copper complex workers gathered in the Shahrbabak prayer grounds area demanding the release of seven protesting workers who have been detained since Saturday.

Since the beginning of November, approximately 600 contract workers at the copper mines in Shahrbabak have been protesting against unequal wage conditions. Based on a complaint filed by the employer in judicial authorities in this regard, seven workers were arrested.

Ali Asadi, representative of Babak city, told ILNA that two of the detainees were released on bail.

On the other hand, reports indicate that the strike and gathering of Haft Tappeh sugarcane workers continued on Tuesday for its ninth day.

Haft Tappeh sugarcane workers, who are protesting non-payment of three months of wages, believe that the private sector employer is incapable of managing the factory and that the workers’ council could better manage the Haft Tappeh sugarcane complex than the employer.

In recent years, economic recession and mismanagement of many Iranian production units have led to bankruptcy, resulting in non-payment of several months of wages to workers in these facilities. These problems have caused widespread labor protests in various parts of Iran, with estimates suggesting that more than six thousand protest gatherings have been held in the past year and a half.

Source: Voice of America