Protests at non payment of wages in Iran .

1-     12/2/84 (April 2005) 30 workers from ‘Plastic Roshan’ factory  situated in kilometre 5 of Tehran-Karaj road, gathered in front  of the factory with their families, protesting at non payment of wages for 16 months. These workers were also angry because the management hadn’t paid their  insurance to the Social Security bureau. (News form ILNA) This is a private firm.

2-     12/2/84 (April 2005) , 80workers from ‘Bahman Plastic’  company, Tehran, gathered outside the Ministry fo Labour, protesting at non payment of their wages.    (News form ILNA) This is a private firm.

3-     4-12-83 (March 2005) : 700 workers from Alborz West Mine, have not received any salaries for t 2 months and they have been on strike for 33 days. (ILNA) This is  a state owned company.

4-     5-12-83 March 2005- Workers from Steel parts factory, Karaj. Many of whom have worked more than 15 years for the company,   protested at non payment of their salaries for 4months. These workers said, the employer has only paid us 70,000 tomans.  (News form ILNA) This is a private firm

5-     11-12-83 March 2005 Workers from Gil Sadid in Mahabad protested in front of the city’s Khaneh Kargar, in protest at non payment of their salaries for 4 months.

6-     13-12-83 Workers from Baresh factory , Isfahan, protested in front of the offices of ‘Bonyad Mostazfafin’ ( foundation for the disinherited) (ILNA) This is  a state owned company.

7-     7000 workers from Kesht Moghan industrial agricultural complex, have not received any wages for5 months (web site Avaye Kar) The complex is state owned.

8-     20-12-83 (March 2005) Workers from Bahman Plastic gathered in front of the Ministry of Labour in protest at non payment of their wages for 5 months. (ILNA) this is a private company.

9-     20-12-83 (March 2005) Workers from Adnis company Mashad, gathered in front of the city governor’s office in protest at non payment of their wages (ILNA) this is a private company.

10-  22-12-83 (March 2005) Workers from Alborz fridge factory, Neyshabour, gathered in front of the city governor’s office  in protest at non payment of their wages for 2 months. (web site Avaye Kar) this is a private company.

11- 100 workers from Loule Sazi( pipe manufacturing company) Ahvaz, close dteh main road to the city  in protest at non payment of their wages. (ILNA) this is a state owned company.

12-  12-1-1384 (March 2005) Hospital personnel in Mahdiyeh  Kemanshah, gathered in protest at receiving no payment for the months of Bahman and Esfand (February and March2005) (ILNA) This is a state hospital.

13-  15/1/1384 (April 2005) 50 workers from Yakhdan Kar factory, Semnan, staged a sit in protest at non payment of their wages and bonuses for 4 months. (ILNA) this is a private company. (News form ILNA) This is a private firm.

14- 3/1/84 (March 2005) Workers from Yakhchal Sazi, Lorestan, fridge manufacturers, staged a sit in the factory, in protest at non payment of their wages in February and March 2005 and non payment of new year ( 21st March is Iranian new year) bonuses (ILNA) this is a private company.

 

15- 24/1/84 (April 2005) workers from Nuushin Sanaat Neyshabour, have not received any payment for the last 3 months (web site Avaye Kar) this is private company.

16-  24/1/84 (April 2005) Workers Iran Sholeh company Neyshabour, have received no  wages for the last 3 months  (ILNA) this is a state owned  company.

17-  29/1/84 (April  2005) Workers from Ima factory , producers of moquette and

plaster, have received no wages or bonuses for 3 months. (ILNA) this is a private company.

       18- 12-10-83 (February  2005) Workers in Foumanate have received no wages for 8 months and workers form Pars Iran factory have received no payment of their salaries for 15 months. Both factories are in Rasht. (ILNA) these are state owned companies.

        19- 12-10-83 (February 2005), 180 workers from Ajor Ali( brick makers) Isfahan, who have not been paid any wages last month, gathered in protest in front of the Provincial governor’s offices. 

        20- 15-10.83 (February 2005) 57 women workers who all have degrees and work in the communication support centre of Kermanshah, gathered in front of the offices of the  city’s Telecommunication , in protest at non payment of their salaries for 4months, non payment of new year bonuses  and non payment of  overtime pay, shift pay and holiday pay. (ILNA) this is a state owned company.

         21- 1-11-83(February 2005) 22- 4-11-83(February 2005) 500 workers form Fumanat textile factory blocked the main Rasht- Fumanat in protest at non payment of their salaries and lack of any response to their demands. This protest was attacked by the security forces and large number of workers were injured and two workers with severe injuries were hospitalised (ILNA) this is a state owned company under the control of Bonyad Mostazafin.

         22- 4-11-83(February 2005) 500 workers form Fumanat textile factory blocked the main Rasht- Fumanat in protest at non payment of their salaries and lack of any response to their demands. This protest was attacked by the security forces and large number of workers were injured and two workers with severe injuries were hospitalised (ILNA) this is a state owned company under the control of Bonyad Mostazafin.

         23- 7-11-83 (February 2005) 100 workers form Zob Record factory in Khorassan, started a strike in  protest at non payment of their salaries and bonuses for 3 months. (Website Avaye kar) this is private company.

       24-Workers from Zar Sab factory, have not received any salaries or benefits for over 5months (ILNA) This is privately owned factory.

       25- 14-11-83 (February 2005) 370workers from Alaedin Factory who have not received any wages last month, gathered in protest in  front of this factory (ILNA)

this is a state owned factory.

       26- 28-11-83 (March 2005) workers from Gaam shoe factory who had not received any wages for over4 months, gathered in protest in  front of the Bank Karafarin ( job creation bank) . This bank owns Gaam factory (ILNA) this is a privately owned factory.

       27-  28-11-83 Over 50,000 workers are employed in Osslouye area, one of Iran ‘s most important oil producing regions. A large number of workers in this area have not received any wages or benefits for more than 6 months. The negligence of 26 contracting companies in this area has lead to disastrous conditions for workers (ILNA)

 

           28- 28-11-83 520 workers from Minakan factory in Birjand who had not received any wages for 13 months , gathered in front of this factory.

 

 

Examples where workers have been sacked with no redundancy payments or benefits

1   3-12-83 ( 2005) February Workers from Saboun Sazi( soap manufacturers ) Khoramshahr, have written a letter complaining about the sacking of workers form this factory (ILNA)

2   5-12-83 (February 2005) 20,000 workers have been made redundant because of unexpected heavy snow falls in Rasht and complete destruction of their factories, and they have received no salaries.

3  6-12-83 (February  2005) 500 workers from PirBokran Mining Material company in Isfahan who had been made redundant following the privatisation of this factory and after receiving 6 months unemployment pay, their income is cut off and they face an uncertain future.

4  8-12-83  ( February2005)  Workers from Shahab Factory have been made redundant following the implementation of article 9 of  Industrial reconstruction and rebuilding plan. (ILNA)

5  12-12-83  (March 2005)  Workers from Kanaf Kar Factory in Rasht who have been made redundant following the closure of this plant protested outside this factory. (ILNA)

6  15-12-83  ( March 2005)  A large number of workers from Kehst o Sanaat Moghan

( industrial- agricultural complex)  have been made redundant as part of a policy of . reducing human resources (ILNA) This state owned complex has 7000 workers.

7   27-12-83 (March 2005) The Management in Iran papyrus factory in Saveh, has sacked 157 workers with no benefit or redundancy pay. (ILNA)

8  16-1-84 (April 2005)Workers from  Iran Khodro Diesel who returned to work after  New year holidays (Iranian new year Holidays start 21st March for 13 days) were faced with locked doors. The company “Ehyae Gostaresh sabz’ (green development revival) owners of this factory had not paid workers benefits in full since  1383 (2004)

Workers protested outside the factory gates and announced that  if their demands are not met they will have a sit in. (ILNA)

 9  15-1-84 (April 2005) 100 workers from Sadra returning to work after New Year holidays were listed by management as facing redundancy. After more investigation it became clear that another 100 workers are in a list of those to be sacked a bit later.

10  18-1-84 (April 2005)  workers from Samiko industries, who had been sacked two years ago, with no benefit or payment  demonstrated in the streets of Hamadan shouting ‘ work or death’ demanding a resolution of their situation. (ILNA)

11  54 workers of ‘Bal Iran; who had been sacked on the 11th of March 2005 , following the  closure of this factory, protested outside this plant (ILNA) 

12 22-1-84 (April 2005)  workers from Boushehr Nuclear plant , protested outside this plant against the sacking of  25 workers and plans to sack another 28 workers.

13  22-1-84 (April 2005)  4000 workers from Keshto Sanaat Beheshti and Rajaii in Khouzestan ( industrial – agricultural complex) , protested at the privatisation of this company and job losses.

14 29-1-84 50 workers employed by Aran Jonoub company in Abadan have been made redundant because of the closure of this factory and they have received no benefits.(ILNA)

15 29-1-84 The largest slaughter house in Jonaghan, CharMahal and Bakhtiari  province, has closed down and all its workers have been sacked with no benefits or redundancy money. These workers protested outside the provincial offices demanding benefits and reopening of the slaughter house (ILNA).

16  Ghodss store , Halal Ahmar branch was closed down 15 days ago and its workers lost their jobs with no pay. These workers protested outside the provincial offices demanding benefits and reopening of the store(ILNA)

 

The sate itself has made more than 400,000 workers unemployed through its plan of ‘Reconstruction and Rebuilding the textile industry’ following the approval of this plan by the  Islamic Majles (Parliament). In addition by approving the non payment of benefits to sacked workers ( who now constitute 60% of the work force) the government has given its approval to  sacking workers with no pay. The legislation exempting workshops of less than 10 employee from the social benefits of the Labour legislation, exempting  carpet weaving workers form the labour legislation, the order stopping state owned industries and government offices from employing permanent staff are amongst the other steps by the state to increase unemployment and deprive

Workers of any rights.

According to legislation passed by the government , ministry of labour’s inspectors are not allowed to enter work places. This means mangers can get away with what they want.

 

 

 

More on Workers Struggles against non payment of their wages in Iran

 

Paper Kar va Kargar

22/10/83 (February 2005) Workers from Zarsab factory, Saveh, have not received any salaries for month, despite the fact that they complained to  the Labour and Socials Security offices.

Paper Kar va Kargar 30/10/83 (February 2005) :Workers from Bahman Plastic factory  gathered in front of the Islamic Majles ( parliament) in protest at non payment of their wages for more than 7 months. These workers held placards saying the management of this company has disappeared 7 months ago and the workers have not been paid during this period. In the year named the year of ‘responding to demands’ those responsible for this situation do not respond and these workers asked Majles representatives to pursue this matter. Workers from Bahman Plastic stressed that this factory is well equipped and capable of production but the prime land it occupies has lead to its closure.

 

Paper Kar va Kargar 1/11/83 (February 2005) :2000workers from Minoo and Ghassem Iran factories have started a sit in and strike in the factory. The management of this company changed a year ago and during this period the workers have received no pay or benefits. Anyone who has complained about this situation has been sacked . It should be added that  Ghassem Iran factory is a subsidiary of Minoo factory.

 

Paper Kar va Kargar 7/11/83 (February 2005) : Workers from Zob Recod factory in Khorassan are facing a third consecutive  month with no pay . This factory is run by the private sector and it has 100 employees.

 

Februray2005 : The situation of workers in Siyana and Zarsab Ali factory is disastrous, despite agreements between representatives of the workforce and managers. The management has refused to pay 5montsh wages and benefits while Zarsab’s manager claims this factory’s products are popular and have reached the world market.

 

Paper Kar va Kargar 16/11/83 (February 2005) : A group of  workers from Ajor Ali in Isfahan gathered in late morning yesterday in front of the provincial government offices in Isfahan , demanding payment of their wages and a return to work. The protesters who numbered 50 were representing over 170 workers , One the these workers said: this factory has been closed for one month and the workers are left in a limbo and the management pay s no attention to this issue. He said we haven’t been paid for 8  months.

 

Paper Kar va Kargar 16/11/83 (February 2005) : The managing director of JahanRo announced in the Labour offices of Saveh that workers have been expelled, their salaries will not be paid , we will not restart JahanRo and  we will not reemploy the workers in the new factory. Workers can do what they want. With the transformation of Jahan Ro Motorcycle factory to a montage plant for cars in 2004, 75 workers were temporarily made redundant until the factory transformation was complete. It was agreed between the workers commission and the local governor’s office that during this period the management would pay the workers salary  and following the transformation in production, the 75 workers would be reinstated. The management didn’t keep their promise. According to article 12 of the Labour Legislation, the new managers are obliged to keep up the commitments of the previous management. However, after 6 months,  the managers in JahanRo refuse to follow the Labour legislation and workers in this factory haven’t been paid for more than a year.  Six months after the end of the agreement, the management has told the Social Security offices that the workers are dismissed.

 

Paper Kar va Kargar 19/11/83 (February 2005) : The management of Iran Electric , in Rashte have closed the factory  and refuse to pay workers wages. When the workers tried to get unemployment insurance payments,  the managers cancelled the benefits of their last month . All this while unemployment insurance is paid on the basis of pay in the last 3 months of employment. This factory was transferred to the private sector in 2003 and its ownership is currently transferred to 4 women whose lawyer is Mr Ghabe ( former deputy of Tehran’s Mayor, Karbasschi) . The land on which the factory is situated is in the city boundary and therefore very expensive. 

 

Paper Kar va Kargar 25/11/83 (February 2005) : Issa Kamali, the executive director of Boushehr Khaneh Kargar said: around 50,000Iranain workers are currently working in Osslouye region many of whom have received  no wages for 6months. He added, currently 26 contract companies are guilty of neglecting their responsibilities  to their employees and the Workers Commission of Kangenan province is dealing with this matter. Kangenan ,  south of Boushehr province is one of the main areas of gas extraction and refinery.

 

Paper Kar va Kargar 26/11/83 (February 2005) : following the closure of Gam company and non payment of workers  wages, this factory’s workers gathered in protest  in front of Karafarin Bank( aptly named Job creation bank) situated on Zafar street. These workers were holding placards saying the closure of the factory after 27 years is fraud, who will answer the workers? The workers protested outside Karfarain Bank, because they say the director of this  bank is one the main share holders of this company. These workers demanded a reopening of the factory and their 4 months unpaid wages.  It should be noted that Gam company was bought through corrupt middle men. For two years, the managers of this company obtained loans of3 milliard tomans but 4montsh ago they announced that the company is facing debts if 4milliard tomans. All this while the company was supplying official shoes to the army and revolutionary guards. The factory was shut down 4montsh ago and workers with more than 20 years experience were sacked. These share holders didn’t even take into account the decision by the Labour Commission stopping the closure.  This company has ‘commendation’ plaques form European countries.

 

Paper Kar va Kargar February 2005. Workers from Oxygene Ballon gathered in Khaneh Kargar in Protest at non payment of wages and benefits for over 7months. The management of this factory has closed it down in Jan 2005 and sacked all the workers.

 

 Paper Kar va Kargar February 2005: 520 workers in Minakan, copper mine have not received any wages for 13months.

 

Paper Kar va Kargar February 2005: Zahedan, Baft Balouch ( textile ) factory in Iranshahr which was until recently one of  the best textile factories in the Middle East employing over 2000 workers  ha snot only lost production, but its workers have been reduced to 800. A few days ago, workers from this factory intended to stage a sit in to protest at non payment of their wages, however the mediation of the Islamic Shora and

promises by the management made sure the sit in didn’t take place on Monday. But as the workers were not paid that day, they decide to stage a sit in despite the objection of the Islamic shora. It is interesting that the managers had originally decided to pay the workers 30 % of their wages, but during the Monday meeting they had accepted to pay a higher percentage, but this didn’t happen. The main complaint of the workers is non payment of wages, reduction of the workforce and transfer to the private sector and redundancy of the equipment because of the failure to employ expert forces.

 

Paper Kar va Kargar March2005: Until this date, workers from Ghataat Foulad ( Steel   components) Karaj have received a total of 70,000 tomans and they have to be paid for 4 months.

 

Paper Kar va Kargar March 2005 – Workers form Baresh factory in Isfahan gathered outside Bonyad Mostazafan ( Disposessed Foundation) and demanded their unpaid wages.

 

Paper Kar va Kargar March 2005- Non payment of wages to Kesht –o –Sanaat Moghan (Agricultural –industrial complex) have not been paid 5months and the factory is reducing their workforce and workers face serious financial difficulties.

 

Paper Kar va Kargar March 2005- More than 100 workers from Louleh Sazi Ahwaz ( pipe manufacturers) gathered outside this factory in protest at delayed payment of their wages.

 

Paper Kar va Kargar March 2005- Workers in Mahdiye hospital in Kermanshah gathered in front of this hospital in protest at non payment of their wages and benefits in the last 2months of Iranian Year (21Jan-21March) . These workers held placards calling on provincial authorities to deal with their problems.

 

Paper Kar va Kargar 2005-  Workers from YakhdanKar Semnan  have not been paid any wages or benefits for 4months. This factory has 40 workers and the employer has also failed to pay new year bonuses. All this while the employer has invested in a new project.

 

 

Paper Kar Va Kargar April 2005– “Either death or work” this is the slogan of workers in Samikoh industries Hamadan during a street protest. This group which totalled 70 , first gathered in front of Khaneh Kargar then demonstrated through the streets of Hamadan, ending in front of the Labour offices . The workers slogans were: “death to those who have caused unemployment” , “Either death or work”“ These workers demanded a resolution of their employment problems. Despite some efforts by authorities the problems of these workers persist  and the employer has not acted according to law.

The company Samikoh has been closed for 2 years because of mismanagement and debts to banks and government organisations.

 

 Paper Kar Va Kargar April 2005 Wage sand Salaries of workers Yakhchal Sazi Lorestan (fridge manufacturer) have not been paid for February and March.

 

Paper Kar Va Kargar April 2004  : 84 workers from Noushin Sanaat factory have not been paid for 3 months. Company Noushin Sanaat is now closed and of 500workers in Iran Sholeh , only 60 have kept their job , following a policy of reducing the work force in this factory.

 

Paper Kar Va Kargar April 2005 : Iran Ima workers have not been paid for 3months and 16 workers have been sacked. This unit produces floor covering, paint and paste and has over 40 years of existence. The management have sacked the workers with no good reason and in response to workers protests the owner said : I am the law. Wages and benefits have not been paid since Jan 2005 and they have received no new year bonuses .

Following complaints by sacked workers , the commission dealing with this ruled that they should be reinstated , but the management refused to accept this ruling.

 

Paper Kar Va Kargar April 2005 Workers from Pars Iran Nassaji in Rasht have not been paid for 15 months and workers in Fumanate Rasht have received no salaries for 8months