{"id":1725,"date":"2020-08-28T03:42:14","date_gmt":"2020-08-28T02:42:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/codir.net\/?p=1725"},"modified":"2020-08-28T03:44:36","modified_gmt":"2020-08-28T02:44:36","slug":"iranian-oil-and-gas-strike-solid-in-fourth-week","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/codir.net\/?p=1725","title":{"rendered":"Iranian oil and gas strike solid in fourth week"},"content":{"rendered":"
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27 August, 2020<\/span><\/p>\n

An unprecedented mass strike in the Iranian oil and gas sector is holding firm as it enters its fourth week.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n

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Around 10,000 workers in Iran\u2019s oil and gas fields have been taking part in\u00a0wildcat strike action<\/a>\u00a0since 1 August. Despite attempts at repression, the strike is holding firm, morale among workers is high, and many employers are starting to offer concessions.<\/p>\n

Although the industrial action is centred in the South Pars gas fields, the work stoppage has spread to industrial complexes in Mashhad, Tabriz, Urmia, Isfahan and other cities across Iran, affecting petrochemical plants, refineries and power stations.<\/p>\n

The workers are employed by agencies who provide labour under contract to major oil and gas companies. These agencies are under tremendous pressure, as they are in danger of breaching their contracts with the oil companies. The dramatic shutdown of production is, in turn, a potential crisis for Iran, which is heavily reliant on the sector to generate foreign exchange.<\/p>\n

Some contractors have conceded to the workers\u2019 demands to pay late wages and raise pay, and have also agreed to pay wages on weekly basis. Workers\u2019 representatives have announced that the strike action will continue until all the demands are met, including for representation. The demands include higher wages, secure contracts, and better accommodation and food.<\/p>\n

Because independent unions cannot operate openly in Iran, the action is coordinated by an underground strike committee made up of workers. The Iranian government often blames industrial unrest on foreign agitators and exiled opposition groups, and uses this as an excuse for heavy oppression by making it an issue of national security.<\/p>\n

The strike committee has been able to resist oppression because it has focused on bread and butter issues. Workers have withdrawal their labour and maintained a dignified presence outside the employers\u2019 offices. The committee distributes weekly strike bulletins through social media, with updates and demands. The most recent bulletin acknowledges the support of IndustriALL affiliate, the Union of Mechanics and Metalworkers of Iran, for the workers\u2019 economic and social demands.<\/p>\n

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Strike committee bulletin of 26 August<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

There is industrial action in other sectors as well. At the\u00a0Haft Tappeh sugar refinery<\/a>, workers have been on strike for 71 days, and IndustriALL\u2019s sister global union, the IUF,\u00a0wrote to the ILO<\/a>\u00a0to raise their concerns. The ILO responded to say that they had intervened with the Iranian authorities, urging them to ensure freedom of association and workers\u2019 right to defend their interests.<\/p>\n

IndustriALL Global Union assistant general secretary Kemal \u00d6zkan said:<\/p>\n

\u201cIndustriALL expresses its full solidarity with Iranian workers. We admire your resilience and courage, because you don\u2019t have the luxury of being defended by free and independent unions. We fully support the demands of the workers for decent wages, paid on time, for direct contracts with the oil and gas companies, and for companies to negotiate with workers\u2019 representatives.<\/p>\n

\u201cIran must recognize workers\u2019 representatives and independent unions as legitimate partners in negotiations.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n

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