Update On the Mahshar Petrochemical Strikes

Iran Labor Report

On November 7, workers from the repairs unit of Amirkabir Petrochemical Complex, contracting firm for Iran Frameco, walked out of their jobs in a massive show of force. The strike was a resumption of the fight for elimination of the middle contracting firms in the Mahshahr petrochemical complex.

The strikes in the Special Economic Zone started on March 21 and went on for 11 continuous days. Earlier, that is back in 2004, the government passed a bill pledging to eliminate the middle contractor firms and moving the workers to direct contract status. The bill remained on papers for 7 years and gathered dust until workers went on strike again a short while ago demanding the government to live up to its promise.

Management at various state-owned petrochemical units acceded in general principle to this key working class demand but asked for three months of extra time before it could be implemented in full. The strikers decided to go along with this.

Subsequently, this past July, the management once again asked for an additional two extra months promising to pay for overtime for the following two months, of which one month was paid in advance.

On September 25, with the management not delivering on its promise (to eliminate all the contracting firms), a strong majority of 4300 workers from various contracting branches at Bandar Imam walked out again. This last strike lasted nearly two weeks. Reports of slowdowns poured in. The deadline given for resolving the dispute was set by workers for November 6.

On November 8, Amirkabir management brought in workers from Basparan contracting company (part of Bandar Imam petrochemical complex) to break the strike. Following some skirmishes, the striking workers were successful in preventing the strike breakers to replace them.

As of this writing, November 14, the workers have collectively made a decision to return to work temporarily pending the result of management’s deliberations with state and non-state authorities. The next deadline may be just around the corner though. In the days to come Iran Labor Report will continue to update readers on this important labor flash point.