As workers’ strikes spread in many parts of Iran – particularly in the oil, gas and petrochemical industry of Khuzestan – the regime has once again stepped-up repression to break these struggles. So far over 500 contract workers in the oil and gas industries of Asaluyeh and Abadan have been arrested and over 100 have been sacked. In addition, intimidation and divisive tactics (e.g., offering bonuses and domestic appliances to scabs) are being used to break the unity and fighting spirit of the workers.
To stop news of these strikes and the general protests in other parts of the country – especially in the Kurdish areas and Baluchistan province – internet shutdowns, the blocking of social media platforms and other forms of control have intensified.
Despite all these measures, the strike wave continues to spread. One of the most significant developments was on October 12th, when the oil, gas and petrochemical strikes escalated, with workers in various phases and sites of the Asaluyeh gas complex going on strike and blocking the Asaluyeh-Kangan motorway.
The strike information we have received includes the following plants (although it is probably incomplete because of the internet and social media curbs):
Asaluyeh petrochemicals
Abadan refinery
Ney Steel
Shadgan Steel
South Pars Central workshop
Mahshahr pipe manufacturing
Kian Tyre (in Tehran province)
Haft Tappeh Sugar Cane Complex
Lamerd Aluminium works (in Fars province, southern Iran)
Tanker drivers in the oil and petrochemical industry.
We call on all trade unionists to raise the urgent matter of supporting the hundreds of jailed workers in their branch meetings and to call on their representatives to demand the immediate and unconditional release of all class-war prisoners in Iran. We also call on all socialists, feminists and other progressive activists to send solidarity messages in support of all political prisoners and jailed workers in Iran.
Free all jailed workers now!
Free all political prisoners now!
Shahrokh Zamani Action Campaign
22 October 2022
