Iran workers demand labour reform

By Frances Harrison
BBC News, Tehran

Some 50,000 people have not been paid for months or even years

Thousands of workers from all over Iran have gathered at a Labour Day rally in Tehran, demanding the resignation of the Labour Minister, Mohammad Jahromi.

The rally revealed deep grievances among Iranian state sector and private workers, some of whom have lost their jobs or not been paid for many months.

On the eve of the rally, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei called on the government to do more to help workers.

Demonstrators also called for the release of imprisoned union leaders.

"Free imprisoned workers!" shouted the labourers, referring to some of their colleagues now behind bars for being too active in demanding their rights.

It may have been an officially organised rally, but the anger beneath the surface soon bubbled out.

"They came and closed down my factory," complained one man.

"We were locked out."

He said he had to sell the carpet from under his feet in order to survive.

Economic desperation

The demonstrators opposed new short-term contracts, complaining that Iranian labour laws are gradually being watered down to benefit employers.

Many union leaders have been imprisoned for their activities

They even brought their own coffin to show how workers rights are being "buried".

Another man said he had not been paid for the last six months even though he earned a pittance.

In desperation, he asked if he should now climb over people's walls to rob their houses now.

And he is one of 50,000 unpaid workers whose salaries are months, if not years, late in coming.

Some labourers said they only got a salary increase this year of $4 a month, working long hours to earn less than the poverty level.

So serious is the situation that on the eve of this rally Iran's supreme leader asked President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to do more to help workers.

Iran may be an oil rich country, but there are pockets of real economic desperation.