A Report on the Plight of Iranian Workers Ahead of International Workers’ Day
1-May-2025
Category: Labor and guilds
May 1, 2025
News Group: Labor and Guilds
Thursday, May 1, 2025 – On the occasion of International Workers’ Day, the following report highlights the current conditions of Iranian workers:
International Workers’ Day arrives at a time when Iran’s working class is facing unprecedented economic and social hardship. The Islamic Republic’s economic policies have worsened workers’ livelihoods, deepening the divide between rich and poor and escalating the class crisis. The country’s ongoing economic collapse has not only made life more difficult for workers but has pushed vast segments of society—especially workers—below the poverty line.
In addition to the crushing impact of this economic crisis, Iranian workers face deeply rooted structural and institutional problems. Among the most urgent issues are wages that are far below subsistence level—insufficient even to cover basic daily expenses. According to the official Workers’ House, monthly wages in the best-case scenario only cover the first ten days of the month, leaving workers to struggle for the remaining days on unacceptable minimums.
Another major concern is the widespread use of unstable and temporary contracts. These contracts often function as blank checks that force workers to accept exploitative and inhumane conditions. Not only do they strip workers of job security, but they also eliminate avenues for protest, demands for better conditions, or resistance to exploitation. The absence of independent and genuine labor unions has silenced workers’ voices and led to the violent suppression of labor protests.
Moreover, Iran’s labor law not only fails to protect workers but also, with its anti-labor provisions, has become a tool for denying their legal rights. Compounding this are the contractor companies acting as intermediaries between workers and employers. These firms intensify exploitation by distancing the employer from responsibility, seeking to maximize profit at any cost while evading any obligation to the worker.
In many occupations—especially among construction workers—there is no insurance coverage whatsoever. The lack of insurance deprives workers of job security and social welfare. In case of injury, workers and their families are left completely defenseless against the resulting physical and financial burdens. Unsafe work environments, the absence of proper oversight, ruthless profit-seeking by employers, and a lack of safety training have led to numerous physical and psychological injuries, and even deaths among workers.
A review of official and unofficial workplace accident data reveals that in Iran’s economy, a worker’s life is one of the cheapest and most disposable “commodities.” Tragically, a worker’s life is often valued less than industrial machinery or equipment. According to published figures, over 2,100 workers died in job-related incidents in 2024. ILNA news agency reported that between March and June of that year, at least 1,077 workers were killed in workplace accidents—an average of 200 deaths per month, or nearly 50 per week. These alarming numbers represent only registered workers and exclude informal laborers, kolbars (border couriers), fuel carriers, and others in high-risk professions.
Credible reports also indicate that more than 17,800 workers were injured in work-related incidents last year. One of the most tragic accidents occurred on September 21, 2024, when a gas explosion at the “Madanju” coal mine in Tabas killed 53 workers. Experts attributed the disaster to violations of safety standards, faulty ventilation systems, and the absence of gas detectors. Despite being one of the deadliest mining accidents in Iran’s history, the judicial process yielded no outcome, and no improvements in mining safety were reported. In response to the authorities’ negligence, over 700 coal miners in Tabas collectively resigned, signaling the depth of frustration and fear among the workforce.
On top of all this, Iran’s industrial stagnation and ongoing economic recession have left many factories and production units unable to obtain raw materials, secure working capital, or maintain a balance between production costs and sales revenue. In this climate, employers often respond by cutting labor costs—firing workers as a first resort. According to statistics from the Human Rights League of Iranian Prisoners (Breathing in Confinement), at least 4,326 workers were laid off in 2024. Given the lack of press freedom and data transparency, the real number is almost certainly higher, with many dismissals occurring quietly and without any public record.