A review of workers struggles in Iran in the Iranian year 1380
(March 2001-March 2002)

                                                Translated by Workers Left Unity- Iran
*Based on an article by Youssef Abkhoun and Sohrab Yekta- activists of WLU

This article tries to review the struggles of Iranian workesr in the year 1380. In this respect we will use statistics to present an overall picture of the workers movement in Iran and to answer some of the questions regarding forms and conditions of workers struggles in various sectors.

In the final section we have tried to present  the most important conclusions one can deduce  from this review. According to these figures , the number of workers protest during this year was 306, signifying a major increase in comparison with previous years. one reason for this increase is the fact  that other sectors of  workers and wage earners such as teachers and nurses  have joined industrial workers. Protests by teachers and nurses, has had qualitative as well as quantitative influence on the workers movement. It should be added that this figure (like previous years) refers to protests in major factories and industries and refers to those struggles that have been reported by the media. Therefore it does not reflect protests and struggles by workers in small and medium size production or service workshops where the majority of Iranian workers are employed and that these struggles are never covered . Given this shortcoming unfortunately , one cannot talk of a comprehensive analysis encompassing the entire working population, especially as we know that 96% of the country’s workforce are employed in small  workshops of 10 or fewer than 10 employees .

Demands

The first and most important demand of Iranian workers in the year 1380( March 2001-March 2002)  was as in the previous year, the demand for payment of unpaid wages and bonuses, some of which has not been paid for over 2 years.

After the demand for unpaid wages, protests against job losses and the demand for jobs and job security featured  high amongst the workers main demands. As you can see from table 4, the demand for a return to work and job security, keeping  a factory open constituted about 84 cases of workers protests.

The third most common demand , during this year was for pay increases. In the two previous Iranian years (March 1999-March 2001) given the severity of the economic crisis, recession  and closure of factories as well as doubts about the general issue of workers employment in major factories, there was no room for demanding pay rises. However last year, as teachers and nurses joined workers protests, the demand for better wages featured in 39 cases of workers protests.

Following the above demands, there were protests at privatisation plans(1 case) , demands for implantation of job classification (8 cases), protests at legislation passed as 'reconstruction of the textile industries' (legislation that gave a free hand to managers and employers to sack workers in textile factories, claiming bankruptcy, and sacking surplus workers) . This legislation was passed by the Majles(Islamic Parliament) half way through the year and with its passage the role of shora eslami (government set up workers organisations) in factories was further reduced.

The demand for implementation of early retirement in difficult jobs accounted for 4 cases of protest. Opposition to the transfer of social security hospitals ( built with payments  by workers contributions) to the Ministry of Health) caused 2 further protests.

In categorising workers demands, it should be noted that this is based on the number of instances where the same demands are put forward. It should be noted that 1-the demand for pay rises at times includes the demand for better bonuses and conditions and they have been classified in one category 2-Calls for improved working conditions and reduction in working hours is considerably less than previous years or not mentioned at all.

In addition to the categories listed above a number of other issues caused workers protests a total of 46 cases categorised as other demands. The teachers demand for the setting up of a representative organisation, was limited to them and was therefore classified with 'Other demands'

 The main forms of workers protest in the Iranian year 1380 ( March 2001-March 2002)

According to the statistics, the principal indicator of workers struggles in 1380 shows a major difference with previous years and that is the prevalence of protest beyond the factory gate ( strike , sit in, go slow) . According to these figures the highest number of workers protests took place in the form of gatherings in front of production units, offices, government organisations ... ( 113 cases) . In order to show a more accurate picture of workers struggles , type of protests that are similar have been categorised. The other point to emphsiase are  gatherings of workers outside the Majles ( Islamic Parliament) - Although this  form of protest existed before, the number of instances of workers demonstrating outside the Majles was much higher this year compared to previous years. We can therefore say that 189 of the 319 protests , involved protests outside/beyond the factory gate.

In the year 80 ( March 2001-2002) , the third most common from of workers protest was strikes(44cases). The increase in the number of strikes, compared to figures from the 2 previous years is partly due to teachers participation in the movement and nationwide strike and closure caused by their strike during working days.

Regarding the participation of service sector employees in the workers protests , although the numbers of such protests are not high, their influence on the movement is considerable. In addition, the teachers and nurses' protests which took the form of nationwide hour strikes, was significant. Protests in this sector increased the total share of protests demanding better wages as opposed to  protests against unpaid wages and bonuses, it also increased the number of strikes.

Workers movement in various sectors

In a  review of the workers protests for this year it is important to note the diversity of the industries where the protests took place. Protests in the textile sector was 99 cases, high as in previous years , due to fact that this sector has the highest number of factories facing bankruptcy and workers in this industry faced unemployment and sackings, then the employees of  the ministry of education and  teachers who with 39 protests had the second highest number of protests while last year they had no protests.

Distribution of workers movements according to provinces.

The statistics from the protests of last year show that the highest number of protests took place in Tehran and Karaj provinces, a vast area from Hasht guard and Nazarabad to Saveh road, a total of 76 cases. In second place was Isfahan province , due to the concentration of the textile industry and there were 73 cases of workers protests in this province alone, 55 protests in or near the town of Isfahan and 14 in Kashan.

According to the statistics of Iran's Ministry of Industries, there are currently 4785 textile production units in Iran with Isfahan province having the  largest number of units , 1164, Azerbaijan 722, Tehran 656 and Yazd 351 units. The textile industry employs 483 thousand workers , i.e. 1.10 of the worker force employed in the country's 10 main industrial sectors. Thus , one can say that after oil , textile industries are amongst the most important industrial sectors of Iran.

 Results of workers struggles of 1380

The result of 257 workers protest are unclear , 28 protests lead to confrontation with the security forces and the police, causing injury and arrest for the workers, this number was much higher than previous years. In 12 cases promises were not kept and in at least 4 cases protest lead to sacking of protesting workers. In all this only 5 cases lead to relative victory  for workers and some of their demands were met. In this respect one can say that most of the workers protests of the year 80 were defeated or workers failed to achieve their demands. This fact is obvious from repeated protests for the same demands and constant struggle by workers.

 The most important workers issues of  the year

By analysing the most important indicators of workers protests , we can point out the important issues regarding workers struggles during this  year:

1-Attempts by the government to change the Labour legislation,. Despite the workers worsening situation , the government followed this policy with the aim of adavncing the  so called 'economic reconstruction and privatisation' -During the last 2 years, following the exemption of workshops of 5 employees or less from the Labour legislation, the approval of the legislation exempting carpet weaving workers form this legislation and social security , as well the legislation about 'reconstructing the textile industry' , the government has made its own labour legislation , irrelevant. and meaningless.

A legislation that had already lost its meaning with workers loosing job security, facing mass redundancy  as well as the issue of payment of wages being under question in many major industries ( i.e. workers who  were supposed to be covered  by this legislation).

2-A change in the strategy of Khaneh Kargar ( a government set up workers organisation). A new strategy for this organisation as the guiding and leading force of Islamic shoras and Anjomans ( government set up workers organisations) which started in the last  2/3 years and was clarified last year, attempting to present itself as a trade union independent of the government .  And of course it operated, as it had done in the past , not as a genuine trade union or an independent workers union, but as an organisation, which had the monopoly of legal recognition. This strategy is a result of conditions where Khaneh Kargar, Islamic shoras and all other government set up workers organisations were isolated and hated by the workers and were considered not only as ideological organisations dependent on the state, but as  direct means of repression  in service of the state.

The strategy of Khaneh Kargar , with all its obedience to the regime , while denying the right of setting up similar organisations for others, was in fact an attempt at strengthening their own positions and monopoly of power , while using a new name and title. A name that could reduce the pressures and sensibilities of the World Back and the IMF, cancelling the  effect of Islamic shoras and convincing these organisations that it  will be able to control workers protests while advancing neo liberal policies while at the same time pacifying workers demands for setting up truly independent organisations that might challenge these policies.

4-Participation of various sectors of the working class in the protests of 1380 was important and distinguished this year from previous years. The participation of teachers and nurses , was , as mentioned before a significant step forward  qualitatively and quantitatively . Protesting for wages in line with inflation, the right to set  up genuine independent workers organisations, nationwide strikes and the subsequent support  were also demands, which had not been made so clearly in previous years, all giving special significance to the workers movement in 1380.

5-Rise in workers solidarity was also a characteristic of this year's struggle. The spread of protest in support of other workers was higher than previous years , as an example one can mention the widespread support and solidarity with workers  from Baresh factory in Isfahan, which were reported..

5-1st of May demonstrations this year when for the first time, workers managed to organise their own demonstration,boycotting the government 'celebrations'’. For the first time, few workers attended the government ceremony and in Isfahan workers tried to disrupt the state ceremonies. In Kurdish cites, May Day was celebrated by workers independent of the state.

In summary it can be said that the workers movement of 1380, despite the significant steps it took that year , with major nationwide strikes, struggles in support of other workers and putting forward the demand for independent workers organisations,did not succeed in presenting itself as an organised united class movemnet . No doubt the economic crisis, bankruptcy and destruction in the economic structure, general recession created conditions against workers. Especially as the material conditions of the most organised sections of the working class s, i.e. those working in major industries, is crumbling and there is no perspective of saving the country’s economy or industry.

These conditions  enhance other obstacle against the nationwide organisation of the working class: a majority of the workforce are employed in workshops of 5 or less employees. A small proportion of the workforce works in major industries. Workers in small workshop constitute 90% of the workforce and the number of the unemployed exceeds the employed.

But these same conditions have increased the workers dissatisfaction , as they are deprived of the right to work or live , this has increased their solidarity  and strengthened d their struggle. A struggle not only for the payment of their eagles, and for jobs  but for the right to live and civil rights, A right that cannot be achieved without major changes in the country’s economic and political situation.

 Table 1

List of the most important workers demands between March2001-March 2002
Categorised in numbers and percentage 

Demands                                     Numbers            Percentage

1     Payment of delayed wages                178                            45.8

/bonuses

2       Increase in wages or benefits          39                            10

3      Return to work, protest at                 37                            9.5

unemployment

4      keeping the factory open                 36                            9.3

5      job security                                      11                            2.8

6      protest at privatisation                     11                            2.8

7       implementation of job                        9                            2.3

Classification

8       protest at legislation                           8                            2.1

for textile industry

9 early retirement for difficult                     4                             1

jobs

10        permanent employment                   4                              1

11        protest at transfer of hospital           3                             .8

to the ministry of health

12    payment of unemployment insurance  3                             .8

13      others                                                46                           11.8

total                                                              389                        100

 Table 2

Various Forms of workers struggles

Form of protest                           Numbers                                          Percentage

1-Gathering outside the factory        113                                                  35.4

government offices

2-Sit in and gatherings                      45                                                   14.1

inside the factory

3-strike                                              44                                                    13.8

4-closing main streets and                 37                                                    11.6

highways

5-march and demonstration              24                                                       7.5

6-gathering outside Majles               15                                                       4.7

(outside parliament)

7-hunger strike                                    2                                                       0.6

8-writing letters petitions                    39                                                    12.2

Total                                                319

 Table 3

Distribution of workers protests in various sectors in numbers and percentage 

Sector                                      Numbers                                Percentage

1- textile                                        99                                              33.4

2- education                                    39                                              1 3.2

3-shoe making                                 17                                                5.7

4-Metal and Car industry                   13                                                 4.4

5-clothing manufacturer                    12                                                4.1

6-hospitals and health clinics             11                                                3.7

7-Oil,gaz, petrochemical                    10                                                3.4

8-mines                                             9                                                 3

9-  carpet                                           6                                                 2

10-transport                                        6                                                 2

11-other sectors                                 74                                               25

total                                         296

Table 4

Distribution of workers protests according to provinces
 

Province                                           Numbers                   Percentage

1-      Tehran and Karaj                                               78                            25.1

2-             Isfahan                                                         73                            24.1

3-       Azarbaijan east and west                                  20                             6,6

4-     Khouzestan                                                           18                             5.9

5-        Mazandaran                                                        16                            5.3

6-        Kermanshah                                                        13                            4.3

7-         Fars                                                                    11                            3.6

8-          Guilan                                                                 9                             3

9-         Kerman                                                                9                              3

10-        Lorestan                                                               7                             2.3

11-        Hamedan                                                             6                              1.9

12-         Ilam                                                                    6                              1.9

13-          Yazd                                                                   5                              1.7

14-        other provinces                                                   34                            11.2

total                                                                                 303

Table 5 –

Consequences of workers protests March 2002-March 2003

Consequence                                                              Number

Unclear                                                                          257

Confrontation with military and counter                         28

Insurgence forces

Promise to deal with demands                                         12

Victory for  workers                                                           5

Threat and expulsion of workers                                        4

Total                                                                                306