Workers at Iran's Ahvaz National Steel Group continued to strike for the second consecutive day on Wednesday over the suspension of several dissenting colleagues and the incomplete implementation of the job classification plan.
Managers of the industrial group suspended dozens of protesting workers, fueling discontent among the workforce. In September, 17 workers were sentenced to flogging, imprisonment, and fines, highlighting the authorities' crackdown on dissent, after taking part in protests.
Despite promises from management, the correct implementation of the job classification plan, pledged to be reflected in December salaries, has yet to materialize, further exacerbating tensions.
This round of strikes is not the first for the steel workers who have repeatedly taken strike action to express their grievances over recent months.
The Iranian National Steel Industrial Group, previously under the control of Amir Mansour Aria's investment firm, has transitioned to private ownership following legal proceedings and Aria's execution for embezzlement.
Workers across various industries, activists from different guilds, and retirees have been participating in numerous protests in recent months, seeking improvements in their working conditions.