Labour news from Kurdistan

The following two reports were sent to us by IWSN activists in Sanandaj, Iranian Kurdistan.

State-owned road construction company in Sanandaj sacks 22 workers

On Saturday October 17 2009, 22 workers of the state-owned road construction company in Kurdistan province working on the Sanandaj-Divandareh road project were sacked. Management and the foreman announced this decision to the workers and informed the Labour and Social Affairs Office of the names of workers whose employment has been terminated.

Work on this project has so far cost the lives of several workers. The really appalling working environment and the lack of safety measures are constantly causing class conflict between the employer and workers.

IWSN activists in Sanandaj.

News from the Kurdistan Tractor Factory

At a gathering of workers during the second shift on Wednesday [October 14], the boss of the Kurdistan Tractor Factory asked the workers to prepare themselves for harsher conditions and a period of ups and downs.

He openly confirmed that a group of workers would be fired in the near future and announced that the only way out from these problems was through increasing the working hours.

During the past few days the factory has fired several people because of their inability to do their job.

IWSN activists in Sanandaj.

Translation: Iranian Workers’ Solidarity Network
31 October 2009