Monday, November 07, 2005

Protests in Tehran and Dezfool

Iran Press News: Translation by Banafsheh Zand-Bonazzi
Protests in Tehran

A large group of licensed teachers gathered on Sunday, Nov. 6th to protest the lack of employment, in front of the Islamic Parliament's Assembly. Among the protestors were women teachers from various parts of Iran, such as the township of Robaat-Kareem, the cities of Kermanshah and Tehran. These teachers said that in 2003 they passed the required recommended teaching tests and were prepared to start working but the Ministry of education and training had never bothered to take any steps in placing them in the promised positions, and now, once again, they are being forced to pass yet another random licensing test.

The protestors with 7 years [or more] worth of experience complained that the Ministry of education and training had never placed any conditions for licensing tests on them, but now, they too must take and pass the test if they wish to hold onto their jobs.

Sugar Factory Workers protest in Dezfool

A group of sugar factory workers in the city of Dezfool gathered in front of the Governor's headquarters, once again protesting the perpetual non-receipt of their wages. One of the protesting workers said that the sugar factory was given over to a private concession and a portion of the stocks were sold to the workers but due to mismanagement the factory had to be sold at auction leaving the workers destitute.