Iran: workers call for protests marking Int’l Labor Day

Workers in Iran

A group of deprived and oppressed workers of the Qom magnesium mine issued a statement commemorating International Labor Day and called on all workers to stage rallies on this day.

“Congratulations to all workers of our country on International Labor Day,” this statement reads in part.

“We are a group of workers in the Qom magnesium mine and we would like to congratulate all hardworking and deprived workers of our country, especially miners, on International Labor Day.

We are celebrating this day when the largest sector of society in Iran, being the over 13 million workers and their families, are all living in poverty.

Workers are a forgotten branch of our society, crushed under the rubbles of injustice. Despite the fact that the poverty line is set at a wage of 35 million rials a month, (around $1,150), the so-called ‘government of the weak’ has set the workers’ monthly salary at 8.1 million rials a month, meaning a fourth of the poverty line. Their own officials admit this will not allow us make ends meet for our families. Workers are forced to resort to working two or more jobs, if they can actually manage to find such jobs. This means they have to work 16 hours a day. The widespread expulsion of workers, especially part-time contract workers, has provided no horizon or hope for us other than increasing exploitation.

However, International Labor Day is the day when workers raise their voice. Therefore, we call on all workers of our country to protest and demand their rights on this day.”

A group of workers at the Qom magnesium mine

April 5^th, 2016