Demand the release of the arrested workers!
More than 5,000 Iranian mine workers went on strike on August 19 in the central province of Yazd demanding the release of two workers who had been arrested by the State Security Forces.
Two workers of Bafq Iron Ore mine were arrested at the request of the mine’s management.
The arrested miners, Amir Hossein Kargaran and Ali Sabri are reportedly accused of organizing a 40-day strike which started on May 18 in protest against the privatization of the mine.
The forces had planned to arrest 16 other workers who also had been involved in a 40 day strike in May.
The May strike ended after the authorities pledged to meet their demands. The workers wanted the plans to transfer shares in the mine to the private sector cancelled.
Striking workers also demanded the resignations of the mine’s director and that workers should receive job security guarantees.
The strike ended when the governor of the province promised their demands would be met within 2 months.
The deadline is approaching in a few days while none of the workers’ demands have been met.
On August 23, five more miners were arrested by the State Security Forces. The striking workers and their families are picketing outside of the governor’s office and announced that this protest will continue until the release of the arrested workers.
Over the past months, the Iranian mine workers have conducted widespread strikes in protest over wages and the privatization of the mines.
Please send your messages of support to the Bafq Iron Ore mine workers to: karzarpki@gmail.com.
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