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Conversation with Siavash Khoramgah.

Sohila Jaloudarzadeh, representative of the 10th Parliament of the Islamic Consultative Assembly from the Tehran electoral district, is a member of the Social Commission and the Labor Faction of this Parliament. She has also been a member of the Central Council of the Workers’ House for years. In an interview with Khat-e-Solh, she spoke about the protests of the workers of the Haft Tapeh sugarcane and industry over the “financial and managerial incompetence” of those who have been given control of the factory. She also mentioned the possibility of “bribery, fraud, and embezzlement” by these owners in managing this complex and the workers’ protests, saying that “unfortunately, some individuals who go through this phase and are essentially part of the private sector, have the approach of not paying workers’ wages and instead resort to street protests in order to access large bank resources and loans to protect themselves.”

You can read the explanation of the peace talks with this representative of the parliament below:

Mrs. Jaloudarzadeh, the protests of Haft Tapeh have been going on for a long time. Do you think in the near future we can hope for a resolution to the problems of these workers and workers in general who struggle with issues such as unpaid wages?

It seems that considering the current sanctions and difficulties for investment in Iran, it would be better for the privatization process to be accelerated and for the government to provide more support for these large industries that possess national assets. This approach can lead to a sense of peace of mind for the workers employed in these complexes.

In any case, considering our participation in the issue of the JCPOA, we had hoped that the international community would fulfill its commitments. But when fulfilling these commitments is negated by the unilateral actions of the United States, these industries also face such problems. In order to overcome these problems more easily, government support is necessary. It doesn’t matter if the privatization process slows down, because our people and workforce are more important than rushing in this matter.

You mentioned the impact of sanctions. However, on the other hand, Mr. Nader Ghazipour, the deputy head of the Workers’ Faction in Parliament, says that the privatization of Haft Tappeh Sugar Cane to the private sector is illegal. Do you agree with him? If your opinion is also the same, why are such illegal actions taking place in the country?

Yes, the privatization organization of the country may have acted hastily in enforcing the law and transferring this complex. They did not consider the qualifications of those to whom it was transferred. These individuals must have financial and managerial qualifications. Ultimately, these issues are being raised and we cannot transfer the country’s resources and national wealth without responsibility. The law must be enforced. Therefore, in our opinion, this transfer was not correct and those who came and received this resource, because they did not have the qualifications, were not able to properly utilize the workforce and wealth that was entrusted to them.

As a result, in regards to the seven hills, in addition to the discussion of sanctions, we are also faced with a more important issue, which is violations. Do you agree with this issue?

See, it may not be a financial violation, but there has been a violation in the transfer. That is to say, as I mentioned before, it has not been transferred to those who were qualified.

“After long protests and strikes, as well as the detention of several of them, the workers of Haft Tapeh were finally able to receive a portion of their overdue wages. In your opinion, where is the problem and when workers do not receive their wages, to which government authorities can they turn to in order to avoid going on strike and facing security crackdowns?”

In my opinion, if the issue of qualification and eligibility is considered, someone who has been entrusted with national wealth will feel responsible and will make the factory profitable. But unfortunately, some individuals who go through this stage and are essentially part of the private sector, have the approach of not paying workers’ rights and instead resort to street protests in order to use large bank resources and loans to protect themselves. This approach is not correct and that is why we say that eligibility must be present. Someone who claims to manage such immense wealth must be tested, have the necessary deposits, and have a clear bank account status; not just be handed over and then try to manage a complex with deceit and blindfolding.

Labor unions must be aware and monitor these issues. In my opinion, this should be done before privatization. We have laws that require the government to consult with labor and employers’ unions before making a decision and then take practical action after considering their opinions. After such decisions, there must also be supervision.

However, labor unions also commonly face challenges and are dealt with through security measures.

The view of the [Social Commission of the Islamic Consultative Assembly] is that social issues should not be turned into political issues. Therefore, in our opinion, the weakness in this sector has been that instead of punishing the individuals or employers who have not fulfilled their obligations, the worker who has not received their wages for several months is punished. This is a wrong approach. Crime and punishment should be proportional; not that the criminal is protected and the victim is punished instead.

The problems of the workers of Haft Tapeh and Ahvaz Steel have turned into an issue after months and even years, to the point that government institutions, including the parliament, have become involved. Should protesting workers in every factory have to deal with such issues for a long time until, for example, the labor commission of the parliament shows a reaction to it?

I do not agree with your statement. Representatives of the parliament express various issues in their cities, including labor protests, and offer solutions. It is not the case that the parliament gets involved after protests. In fact, members of the social commission of the parliament are also representatives of that region. Three or four gentlemen have previously raised this issue and followed it. Privatization and transfers have been a concern for the labor faction for years and have always been protested and criticized by representatives. Privatization is not a new issue. In any case, in Iran, capitalists do not have the same power and influence as the private sector. Regarding the transfer of these large industries, it may be necessary to pay more attention to avoid these problems.

Given that you said we do not have a capitalist, does that mean that wealthy individuals may come in and take over these industries instead of an independent private sector?

Anyone who has capital may come!

Thank you for the opportunity you have given us in the Khatt-e-Solh magazine.