Flogging Sentences and Fines Carried Out Against More Than 10 Dismissed Petropars Workers Who Protested in Hoveyzeh

Breathing in Confinement, Sunday, 11 October 2026: Sentences of 74 lashes and fines of 20 million tomans have been carried out against more than 10 dismissed workers of Petropars Company in Hoveyzeh. The workers, who had gathered to protest the non-renewal of their employment contracts and the loss of their jobs, were arrested and prosecuted following a complaint filed by the company. They were subsequently sentenced to these punishments. The flogging of workers who protested to defend their labour rights represents a disturbing example of punitive measures against labour protests and a violation of human dignity and the right to peaceful assembly.

According to Breathing in Confinement, the news outlet of the Prisoners’ Rights League in Iran, more than 10 dismissed workers of Petropars Company in Hoveyzeh County have been subjected to sentences of 74 discretionary (ta’zir) lashes and fines of 20 million tomans each for protesting the non-renewal of their employment contracts. The workers had been arrested and prosecuted following protest gatherings and a complaint filed by Petropars Company.

According to Breathing in Confinement, the sentences were issued by Branch 101 of the Criminal Court Two of Hoveyzeh County, presided over by Judge Malek-Tabar Firouzjani. On 4 July 2026, the court sentenced each worker to 74 discretionary lashes and a fine of 20 million tomans. These sentences have now been carried out.

The workers, most of whom hold bachelor’s or master’s degrees, had worked for several years on the construction and commissioning of facilities at the South Azadegan oilfield. Following the completion of the projects, their employment contracts were not renewed, and their efforts to return to work proved unsuccessful.

Following their protests over employment conditions and the organisation of protest gatherings, several workers were arrested by law enforcement officers. Subsequently, Petropars Company filed a complaint against them, leading to criminal proceedings on charges including “blocking access routes” and “causing damage and financial losses”.

According to published reports, the protesting workers also stated that, following the completion of the projects, workers from other provinces, including Gilan and Fars, had been recruited to replace local employees. This issue became one of the main grounds for their protests.

Before the sentences were issued, the workers had repeatedly gathered outside the Khuzestan Governor’s Office in Ahvaz, the Hoveyzeh Governor’s Office, and other relevant authorities to protest their dismissals and the non-renewal of their contracts. However, their efforts to secure a response to their employment demands and return to work have so far been unsuccessful.

Reports indicate that the workers have continued their protests even after the flogging sentences and fines were carried out. They reportedly continue to hold weekly gatherings outside Petropars Company.

The workers continue to demand that their employment grievances be addressed, that they be reinstated, and that an end be brought to the situation which, according to them, has resulted in their dismissal and criminal prosecution after years of working on oil projects in the region.