Iran: Workers Protest Amid Escalating Crises in Iraq, Syria, Lebanon

As the Iranian regime struggles with escalating crises in Iraq, Syria, and now Lebanon, they are under pressure as more workers protest inside Iran.

Employees of the Azarab factory in the city of Arak, western Iran, launched a peaceful demonstration on Sunday, Oct 20, 2019. They want to improve poor working conditions in their factory. These workers are protesting officials’ plots to privatize the company, their jobs remaining in limbo and resulting in poor living conditions.

Reports from the city of Arak, Iran, indicates that security forces attacked peaceful protesting Azarab workers. Riot police and security forces clashed with protesters in the factory. Police then used teargas against the protesters. The repressive forces attacked the people with batons and injured several workers.

A large number of injured AzarAb workers went to the hospital after being beaten by security forces. Reports indicate that security forces then went to the hospital to detain the injured workers, who were forced to leave the hospital untreated.

Azarab workers beaten by riot police
Azarab workers beaten by riot police.

In her tweet on Sunday, Mrs. Maryam Rajavi, the president-elect of Iranian resistance praised the brave workers of Azarab, Arak. They blocked the north-south railway on the 12th day of their protests, and resisted against the attacks and tear gas volleys by security forces.

azarab factory windows broken
Azarab factory

Mrs. Rajavi called upon the people of Arak, particularly the courageous youth, to rise up and support the workers.

Footage of today’s attack by the riot police against the workers of Azarab Factory was distributed through social media.

In another event, retired workers of the Isfahan Steel Factory gathered today in the central city of Isfahan, Iran, to demand their delayed pensions and rights.

retired isfahan steel factory workers
Retired Isfahan steel factory workers gather in Isfahan.

Iran’s Haft Tappeh Sugarcane Factory workers in the SW city of Shush continued their strike action for the 28th day today. They’re demanding an end to the factory’s privatization and the persecution of workers, the release of detained workers, and the return of laid-off workers.

Iran's Haft Tappeh Sugarcane Factory workers in the SW city of Shush
Iran’s Haft Tappeh Sugarcane Factory workers in the SW city of Shush.
Hassan Mahmoudi

Hassan Mahmoudi is a human rights advocate and Social Media journalist seeking democracy for Iran and peace for the region.