Strikes In Support Of Nationwide Protests Gaining Momentum In Iran
Workers in many industries have joined the strikes which have been gaining momentum since last week as Iran’s antigovernment protest movement has entered its second month.
Workers in many industries have joined the strikes which have been gaining momentum since last week as Iran’s antigovernment protest movement has entered its second month.
On Tuesday, the workers of Haft-Tappeh Sugarcane complex in the southwestern Khuzestan province joined the strikes in oil, gas, and petrochemical sectors in southern Iran.
Workers of several phases of South Pars Gas-Condensate field, Bushehr Petrochemical Company and Hengam Petrochemical Company -- both of which operate at Asalouyeh Complex -- Abadan Petrochemical company and refinery, Mahshahr’s refinery and Pipe Mill Plant, as well as Neyriz Ghadir Steel Complex off the coasts of the Persian Gulf have been on strikes in solidarity with the protests across Iran, ignited by the death in custody of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini.
At least 100 striking employees of Assalouyeh petrochemical plant have been arrested in the past few days while many are threatened with being fired or replaced by Chinese workers if they do not break their strike.
The government has blocked access to mobile Internet to prevent videos of the strikes from being posted on social media.
Security agents have summoned many workers to force them into confessing that the strikes are because of long overdue wages, and not in support of the antigovernment and anti-hijab protests. Although it is a fact that many of the workers have not been paid for months, they have repeatedly announced that their strike is in opposition to the heavy-handed crackdown on protesters.
Rekabi, 33, made the symbolic gesture in support of anti-hijab and antigovernment protests that have been raging across the country since mid-September, when 22-year-old Mahsa Amini was killed in custody of hijab police.
Her move prompted widespread reactions from Iranians and foreigners, while people on social media are organizing a huge gathering to welcome her early on Wednesday morning when she is scheduled to arrive back in the country. People are worried that she would be arrested upon arrival. According to reports, the authorities have moved to transfer Rekabi to Tehran ahead of schedule so people cannot gather for her arrival.
Moved by Rekabi’s act of defiance, activists and social media users are praising her move as a “Very powerful statement” that may bring about serious repercussions for her from the authorities.
She previously won a bronze medal for boulder climbing at last year's competition and she has won more than 80 medals over the course of her career.
In 2019, boxer Sadaf Khadem attended a boxing match with the Iranian flag and without a headscarf. She had to cancel her return flight to Tehran after a warrant was issued for her arrest.
