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In late December 2018, after the long-running mass protests and strike of the Haft Tapeh sugar cane workers in Khuzestan, Iran, the authorities have tried to set up an election for the formation of an \u201cIslamic Council\u201d of workers which would stand in opposition to the already existing independent workers’ council and its elected representatives. One year ago, the workers started to elect their representatives who consult with the workers and represent them. This was successful and opened up discussions about the formation of workers\u2019 representation and workers\u2019 councils in other industries in Iran.<\/p>\n
The authorities tried to force some workers to stand as candidates for the \u201cIslamic Council\u201d but not many have and some already withdrew their candidacy again as the \u201cIslamic Council\u201d is not the workers\u2019 independent and legitimate representation and organisation.<\/p>\n
It has been reported that when some of the workers went to the Office of Labour to withdraw their candidacy, they were met by the city\u2019s head of judiciary and head of the intelligence service who threatened the workers. They were told \u201cYou have a file with us and it will be bad for you if you withdraw your candidacy for the Islamic Council.\u201d<\/p>\n
The workers of Haft Tapeh who managed to form their own council and elect their representatives reject the Islamic Council as it represents government politics which the workers object to. One of their main objections is the relationship between the government and the directors of Haft Tapeh who are embezzling funds from the company.<\/p>\n
The workers consider the formation of an \u201cIslamic Council\u201d as the government’s tactic to dissolve workers’ organisations so that they can continue with plans to restart \u201cslave-like\u201d working conditions and complete the handover to the \u201cembezzlers\u201d and \u201cthieves\u201d of the private sector.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
#WPIranNews #FightForLife #SugarCaneWorkers #WorkersCouncil #IslamicCouncil<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"