Iran’s Oil And Petrochemical Workers Threaten To Expand Current Strike

Iran International :

On the fifth day of a nationwide strike by contract workers in Iran’s oil and refining industries, the organizing council said that if their demands are not met, more workers will join the thousands who are already either in work stoppage or have simply left the plants where they were employed.

On Saturday, workers from several other plants and companies joined the strike in the south and central Iran. Although, most regular government employees in the oil sector have not gone on strike, but contract employees who do not have the full benefits and job security of regular employees are essential to the fuel and petrochemical industries.

Workers are demanding higher pay to keep up with skyrocketing inflation, reaching 50 percent in Iran. While workers in the sector currently receive under $300 monthly, they demand more than $400 and other benefits. The strike campaign is dubbed “Campaign 1400”, as it is the year 1400 in the Iranian calendar.

Islamic Republic officials have asked the workers to end their strike, promising a review of their demands. The Busher province deputy governor called on workers to end the strike considering the importance of the oil industry amid US sanctions.

The Iranian parliament is scheduled to meet on Sunday to address the issue.

Read more:https://iranintl.com/en/iran-in-brief/irans-oil-and-petrochemical-workers-threaten-expand-current-strike