Reports from Iran indicate that a number of labor activists were arrested following International Workers’ Day gatherings in front of the Iranian Parliament (Majlis) and the Workers’ House in Tehran.
Iran’s Labor News Agency, ILNA, reported on Tuesday, May 1st, that at least six people were arrested during a gathering of workers and teachers in front of the Iranian Parliament.
Some reports on social media networks suggest that more people have been arrested.
Workers who gathered in front of the Workers’ House in Tehran protested against the failure to issue permits for a march on International Workers’ Day.
Workers also chanted: “Death to the oppressor, honor to the worker,” and “Imprisoned workers must be freed.”
Some workers also called for the resignation of the Labor Minister.
Proesting workers demanded job security and reform of temporary employment contracts, and protested against low wages and lack of health insurance coverage.
Another group of workers also gathered in front of the Iranian Parliament and chanted slogans in support of workers’ demands and in protest against the non-issuance of permits for workers’ day marches.
Other reports indicate that concurrent with International Workers’ Day gatherings in Tehran, a number of labor activists in other cities, including Sanandaj, were also arrested.
According to these reports, security forces and police clashed with protesters in Sanandaj and arrested two labor activists, Mahmoud Salehi and Osman Ismaili.
Border cities in western Iran have witnessed strikes and protest gatherings by workers, kolbars (border porters), and merchants of border bazaars in recent days.
International Workers’ Day gatherings were held this year while workers in many parts of Iran have gone on strike or participated in protest gatherings over the past year.
Some reports indicate that approximately six thousand worker gatherings have been held over the past year. Among these, gatherings by workers at Haft Tappeh sugarcane factory, Ahvaz Steel, and HEPCO Tabriz received more attention than others.
Workers in these gatherings have protested against unpaid wages for several months, mass layoffs, uncertainty following the privatization of factories, and low wages.
Source: Voice of America
