روزنه rowzane خبری – تحلیلی 
“We workers no longer tolerate poverty, insecurity, discrimination, inequality and deprivation of our most basic human rights.”
Today, 26 June 2021, on the fifth day of the nationwide strike of petrochemical workers in Iran, it has reached 61 refineries, petrochemicals and power plants and companies under their auspices.
The nationwide strike take place mainly among contract and project workers who demand fair pay (specific amount above poverty line), timely payment of wages, job security and permanent contracts, the abolition of special economic laws, the right to organize, the right to protest, safe working environment, and 10 days leave per month so that they can spend time with their families.
The strike that began on 20 June 2021, a day after appointment of Ebrahim Raisi, the wanted murderer, as the president, has attracted widespread support from the public in Iran. Student organisations, retired workers, sugarcane workers of Haft Tapeh, teachers and other parts of the society have issued statements in support of the strike and the workers, as the society is hopeful to be free from the oppressive and criminal regime that has imposed poverty, rightlessness, discrimination, gender apartheid, and repression on the vast majority of the people. The striking workers are now at the forefront of the social movement to overthrow the Islamic Republic. The appointment of the notorious executioner, Ebrahim Raisi, has not intimidated the workers and the Iranian society. The people are more determined than ever to put an end to this regime.
The Islamic regime has tried to stop the strike by firing 700 workers but the strike continues and the workers stand united and strong.
Coordinating Council of Workers’ Protests in a part of their second announcement on 26 June 2021, says:
We, the contract oil workers in refineries, petrochemicals and power plants, went on strike on June 20, as we had announced. Tens of thousands of our colleagues are currently on strike, and our colleagues with permanent contracts will have a gathering on July 29. Meanwhile, during the same period, we have had them with us in areas such as sections ten to 14 of Assaluyeh [special industrial complex]. It’s been great so far and we extend our solidarity to our colleagues.
Dear friends, the main demand of our oil workers, whether on permanent or temporary contract, is wage increase.
We workers no longer tolerate poverty, insecurity, discrimination, inequality and deprivation of our most basic human rights. As we have stated, given the staggering cost of wages, no worker today should be less than twelve millionToman [ about $480]. At the same time, our colleagues must have the right to increase their salaries in accordance with their levels of work expertise. Our colleagues with permanent contracts are also protesting against the daily decrease in their purchasing power and the way the wage increased in2021, which is in fact an attack on their lives and livelihoods.
Dear colleagues! Our unity of struggle and joining the strike at such a level is something to be proud of and we say well-done to everyone. But we must try to have this alliance in the form of advancing our protests. We must prevent any kind of division and intrigue by doing our utmost to advance the struggle.”
We call on all international workers’ organisations, trade unions, human right organisations, political parties and the freedom loving people of the world to join the people of if Iran in support of the nationwide strike of oil and petrochemical workers and their rightful struggle.
Worker-communist Party of Iran
26 June 2021
