Workers from the Iranian sugarcane company Haft Tappeh Sugarcane gathered outside the company’s headquarters and inside a mosque in the city of Shush Friday to protest unpaid wages.

According to the Haft Tappeh workers’ union, hundreds of workers participated in the demonstrations and chanted slogans like “death to the oppressors” and “salute to the workers.”

Police forces were present to contain the demonstrations.

Nov 16, Shush, southwest #Iran

Workers of the Haft Tappeh Sugarcane factory who have been protesting for 12 days took their protests to the streets and the Shush Bazaar.

Today is the Day to mourn, the worker's life is on the air today#IranProtests#IranRegimeChange pic.twitter.com/CismVDnPyt — Iran Freedom (@4FreedominIran) November 16, 2018

“Workers are gathered here to raise their voice on behalf of everyone,” Ismail Bakhshi, a representative for the workers, said.

The International Trade Union Confederation reported that the workers entered a mosque and chanted slogans at the Imam. The Imam addressed the demonstrators during his sermon and said that the workers’ demands are “being followed up.”

Protesting Sugar Factory Workers Invade Friday Prayer Site: Enraged workers of Haft Tapeh sugar cane factory in Shush, southwest #Iran, occupied the Friday prayer site of the city on Friday, November 16, chanting slogans to protest overdue… https://t.co/VjhuKeGUxZ #MiddleEast pic.twitter.com/VOhNGyhBRl — Saeed Valadbaygi (@SaeedBaygi) November 16, 2018

Protests began on November 5 after reports revealed that the company’s managers were arrested.

Since then, workers have demanded that their late wages be paid, that they should be given a cut of the profits, and called for the privatization of the company as well as for other workers’ rights.

Nov. 15, #Iran: Workers of Haft Tappeh Sugarcane Agro-Industry Co. continue protest in front of governor office in Shush, Khuzestan for the 11th day, chanting anti-regime slogans. pic.twitter.com/YhiPHDpKdv — Amad News Daily (@AmadNewsDaily) November 15, 2018

The demonstrations come in the midst of deteriorating living conditions that have pushed residents and market traders to protest rising prices.

Last Update: Wednesday, 20 May 2020 KSA 14:03 - GMT 11:03