Ahvaz Steel was privatized and transferred to the private sector by the Privatization Organization in pursuit of the approval of the “Implementation of General Policies of Article 44 of the Constitution” in 2009. Despite summonses and threats from security institutions, the workers of the National-Industrial Group of Ahvaz Steel had been continuously protesting and demonstrating for more than a month last year, demanding the “cancellation of privatization”, “transfer of the company to the public sector”, “release of detained workers” and “formation of an independent organization”. As a result of these protests, many steel workers were summoned or arrested by security-judicial institutions, or had cases filed against them. The pressure on them continues.

Meysam Al Mahdi, born in 1984 and married, is one of these workers who not only has a record of arrest and detention, but has also been fired from his job due to his labor activities. The pressure on this worker has reached

Recently, dozens of steel workers in Ahvaz (41 people) were summoned, but after the summons, a restraining order was issued for them. What was the reason for these summonses?

It cannot be said with certainty what the reason for these summonses was. The reason must be asked from those who summoned the workers. But it can generally be considered that these summonses are related to open labor cases. These cases, which have been kept open for a long time, are essentially aimed at putting pressure on the workers. In fact, there can be no other reason. On the same day that the sentence was issued for Ismail Bakhsi, the steelworkers were summoned and asked to go to court. When they go to court, they are told that we did not give them such a letter. Then the prosecutor’s office publishes a news and says that our intention was to tell the steelworkers that a restraining order has been issued for them. All of these issues are happening while only one steelworker was under investigation, and that was me. Therefore, the workers were not under investigation to warrant a restraining order. In fact, the issuance of these restraining orders is a big lie

How many steel workers have a case been formed for and what is the status of their case at this stage?

Since the end of 1395 (2016), 112 cases have been filed in court for 72 workers of Ahvaz Steel, most of which are still ongoing. This means that a worker has been summoned or arrested 2 or even 5 times and their case is still open. For example, on Labor Day this year, they contacted some workers and reminded them that their cases are still open. They also summoned some workers or sent officers after them.

These cases have no reason other than creating pressure on the workers. They only want to hinder future movements of workers against the violations committed by employers in companies. I don’t believe it’s a coincidence that in the same week that workers of Hepco and Azarab are on the streets, they issue a heavy sentence for Ismail Bakhshi and summon the steel workers. As I mentioned, they take these actions to prevent the future movements of Haft Tappeh and steel workers and to scare the workers of Hepco

Apart from these summons, have we recently witnessed any other cases of threats or dismissals of Ahvaz steel workers?

I was under surveillance and have been expelled. Also, in the past few days, the access cards of three workers at the steel company have been blocked and they have been prevented from entering the company. Mr. Ghareeb Havizavi, Ra’id Abidavi, and Javad Eskandari are workers who have been banned from entering. This action is due to a strike that the steel workers carried out at the company, one day before the brutal attack on the Hepco workers.

What has been the reason for the recent strike of steel workers that you mentioned?

In response to this question, I must first mention that we should not see the issue of labor strikes superficially. When they cannot intimidate workers through summoning and court hearings, capitalists intervene and use their leverage – which is essentially withholding payment of wages. In fact, a few days have passed since the deadline for paying this month’s wages for steel workers, and that is why they went on strike at the company. Another reason for this strike was to show solidarity with the Hepco workers.

In your opinion, why do you think the authorities’ view on the workers’ protests in Ahvaz became a security issue?

This security approach is derived from the perspective of oppressive government. When the ruling system in Iran has an oppressive view towards the people, it is inevitably applied to workers as well. Another issue is the government’s support for employers and capitalists. When a government supports capitalism, it inevitably oppresses workers. There has always been a slogan among workers that how is it that among four thousand workers, you can easily find 10 leaders, but you can’t find 3 of them who are thieves among 10 managers!? Well, when the officials themselves are involved in mafia issues and corruption in the market, they always try to oppress workers instead of finding a solution to the problems.

What achievements have recent protests by workers in Ahvaz had? And what demands do steelworkers currently have?

In general, it can be said that the achievement of recent workers’ protests in Iran has been to create awareness among the working class. Today, workers are very aware and especially in relation to workers’ organizations, they have reached a good understanding; to the point that a worker can correctly distinguish between “yellow unions”, “government unions” and “independent unions” that he himself wants to establish.

It should also be noted that it is a misconception that workers’ demands are limited to back wages. The issue is whether the wages currently given to workers can keep up with the inflation in the country. What about the rights of workers, such as housing, health and safety? These are among the rights that Iranian workers are deprived of. In addition, today’s workers are pursuing demands such as independent unions, which the government is doing everything in its power to suppress. I hope that the media will pay more attention to such demands and not just label the problems and rights of workers as back wages,

What is your prediction about future labor protests and strikes in Ahvaz and their outcomes?
We and all workers of Iran hope to be able to have freedom. To be able to have the freedom to speak our minds and create our own organizations. Workers must have job security and the employer and capitalist mindset of “if I don’t like something, I’ll fire you” should not exist. Employers have the mindset that if they fire a worker, they won’t have any problems and believe that there are plenty of unemployed people on the streets who can replace them. Today, our discussion is about bread. Today, the wages of workers are not comparable to the current inflation in the country. The current worker is not the same as the worker who was used to move goods. Today’s worker has specific demands and wants to organize. I am sure that in the future, good and big things will happen for the working community of Iran. The reason for this is that today’s worker is an aware worker.

Thank you for the opportunity you have given us.