Iranian Workers Face Perilous Conditions Amid Inadequate Safety Measures

By
Staff Writer
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In Iran, workers are continuously exposed to life-threatening risks due to the lack of stringent government oversight and the absence of independent trade union organizations.
In Iran, workers are continuously exposed to life-threatening risks due to the lack of stringent government oversight and the absence of independent trade union organizations.

In Iran, workers are continuously exposed to life-threatening risks due to the lack of stringent government oversight and the absence of independent trade union organizations.

 

This grim reality is underscored by frequent reports of labor accidents, often resulting in fatalities.A disturbing pattern of work-related incidents has emerged in recent times. In Neyshabur, a worker perished in a guardhouse fire, while in Mashhad, another worker tragically fell to his death on a construction site. Such incidents are not isolated; they reflect a broader trend of workplace hazards that Iranian workers face daily.

The death toll among workers is alarming. Recent reports include a worker’s death in Dehgolan, Kurdistan province, and two fatalities in a power plant earlier in November. Moreover, on November 7, a 65-year-old construction worker in Mashhad’s Abdol Mutalib Boulevard area died after falling from a high construction unit, lacking necessary safety equipment.

These incidents likely represent just a fraction of the actual situation, given the limited news coverage in Iran. Reports of 26 worker deaths in a single month, with minimal available statistics, underscore the perilous conditions under which they labor.

 

Another tragic incident occurred on October 17, as reported by the Rokna website. A building collapse on Palestine Street in Baqershahr trapped three workers under debris, resulting in one fatality. Two other workers were rescued and hospitalized.
Another tragic incident occurred on October 17, as reported by the Rokna website. A building collapse on Palestine Street in Baqershahr trapped three workers under debris, resulting in one fatality. Two other workers were rescued and hospitalized.

 

The discrepancies in official statistics are concerning. Masoud Qadipasha from the Forensic Medicine Organization reported 1,900 work-related deaths last year, while Ali Hossein Raitifard from the Ministry of Labor cited only 711. This inconsistency raises doubts about the reliability of the data and the extent of underreporting.

Despite these alarming numbers, the Ministry of Labor claims that Iran’s labor accident rates are below the global average, a claim whose basis remains unclear. The Ministry highlights Iran’s accession to the International Labor Organization’s 155th Convention on Safety and Health as a significant achievement, but the high number of worker deaths contradicts this assertion.

The Ministry’s efforts, including guidelines and safety training initiatives, have been questioned for their effectiveness, especially since over 50% of work accidents involve construction workers. Joining international conventions and issuing regulations appear to be more symbolic than substantive in improving workers’ safety.

 

Furthermore, the regime’s commitment to safety is undermined by the insufficient number of inspectors relative to workshops. This disparity leads to lax enforcement of safety laws and regulations, rendering them ineffective.

In conclusion, the persistent high number of work-related accidents in Iran indicates deep-rooted issues in workplace safety. Symbolic gestures like joining international conventions and drafting regulations are insufficient. Practical improvements in safety measures and enforcement are urgently needed to protect Iranian workers from these ongoing, preventable tragedies.

 

 

MEK Iran (follow us on Twitter and Facebook), Maryam Rajavi’s on her site, Twitter & Facebook, NCRI  (Twitter & Facebook), and People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran – MEK IRAN – YouTu

 

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