Hundreds of West Alborz Coal miner and employees gather to protest in Tehran

Iran Press News: Translation by Banafsheh Zand-Bonazzi

As previously reported, the Coal miners and employees of the SANGROOD, Coal mines from the West Alborz region, gathered on Tuesday, Oct. 11th, in front of the office of Ahmadinejad in order to protest their deplorable work conditions. These workers traveled to Tehran late on Monday evening in trucks specific to the delivery of cattle and due to financial privation spent the night in Azadi (Freedom) Square (!). The protestors complained of the non-receipt of 9 months worth of their wages and objected to the dereliction of the mine's management whose negligence has left 600 workers' live in chaos. READ MORE

One of the workers, warning of the dangerous consequences of this mine's closure and the desperation of the many months of the workers said: "This mine is the only source of income for 700 workers and their families and with the closure of the mine and the stoppage of this sectors' activities, the livelihood of the workers will be threatened.”

Another worker said: "This year, due to financial desperation, the workers were unable to register their children for school and we are all embarrassed to face our families." Another worker loudly said: "If these Boss men can go for one month without pay, then we too can put up with 9 months of pennilessness."

A worker whose arm was broken and had a cast on said: "My medical bills are breaking my back and I am forced to beg and borrow from friends and family...I am eternally ashamed."

Another worker said: "It has been 90 days since our wives and children have even seen meat. Do they call this their Muslim way?”