A Victory for Workers in Iran!   Following earlier Chit-e-Rey textile factory workers’ protest on May 27th, workers staged an angry protest in front of the Islamic Consultative Assembly (parliament) on June 12, 2001. They were supported by fellow workers from Shadanpour shoe factory workers, Kashan Textile factory and nurses from Tehran University, all fighting unpaid wages, among other issues. Workers chanted “down with Bonyad Mostazafan” (one of the largest foundations created by the regime for “the disadvantaged”; however, from the very beginning it became a corrupt and totally unaccountable corporation). Workers also opposed the privatization of factory and demanded immediate payment of their delayed wages. Angry workers removed some of the barricades and damaged the entrance door to the parliament. Since security forces were unable to stop workers, parliament had to respond by sending an MP to negotiate with workers and making indefinite promises. So, workers continued their protest on June 18th by blocking the Fadaian Islam Road and by holding the new management of the factory  hostage for 3 hours. Workers were outraged by the news that Bonyad Mostazafan had sold the factory to the new owners for only 2 million Tomans (approximately US $2500.00) Chit-e-Rey continued and wide-ranging protests in the last few months and the growing solidarity with them, finally forced the regime and its Foundation to yield to their demands. On June 19th, Bonyad Mostazafan gave 160,000,000 toman to Chit-e-Rey workers to pay all unpaid wages since last year. The Foundation also promised to follow up on reversing the privatization of the factory. There have been rumors that the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran had ordered Bonyad Mostazafan to settle this dispute out of fear of escalating workers’ protests in Iran. Iran is facing an unprecedented economic crises with million of unemployed workers and above 60 percent of population living under the poverty level. Despite all the rhetoric and propaganda, many government authorities have admitted that they do not have any strategy to lower the unemployment level or eradicate poverty. Indeed, all major factions within the regime, have been prescribing further free market developments, privatizations and r elaxation of labour laws and worker practices to create a better condition for national and multi-national corporations and investors to run all aspects of economy in Iran. During this process, thousands of workers have lost their jobs, hundreds of factories and companies have been shut down and tens of thousands of workers have not been paid for months. It is vital to remember that workers are going through these battles without having the right to organize independent labour organizations and the right to strike. In view of all these facts, this victory by textile workers would certainly have a significant meaning for all workers in Iran. This, hopefully, will give a boost to workers’ struggles against non-payment of their wages, privatizations and other anti-labour policies and practices in Iran.