The Esfahan Steel Mill exploits 18,000 workers. These workers are divided into two groups: 10,000 workers of sub-contracting companies and 8,000 official workers. The first group of workers have worse working conditions, job security and pay than the second group.

Although the 10,000 sub-contracted workers have protested against the bad conditions and the open discrimination several times, they have got nowhere. On February 28 workers from both groups joined forces and begun a symbolic food boycott - they will not be eating the food in the factory’s restaurants.

Despite the attempts of management and the government to drive a wedge between them, the sub-contracted and official workers are united in this symbolic struggle and have demanded better pay and conditions for the sub-contracted workers.

3 March 2009

Source: Iranian Workers' Solidarity Network