MEK Iran: Pandemic Has Led to Mass Unemployment Amongst Construction Workers

Only 30 percent of construction workers are currently employed according to Hadi Sadati, the vice-president of the Association of Construction Workers’ Unions. This is because of the difficulties caused by the coronavirus. Over 146,500 people have died of the coronavirus in Iran, according to reports by the Iranian opposition, the National Council of Resistance of Iran’s (NCRI), and the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI / MEK Iran).

Many of these construction workers would normally be at work painting buildings, repairing pipes, or fixing things on houses, but have not been offered work because of the virus.

More than 146,500 people have died of the novel #coronavirus in 462 cities checkered across all of #Iran's 31 provinces, according to the Iranian opposition PMOI/MEK. pic.twitter.com/IKQMaA58Jk

— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) November 7, 2020

Sadati says there are construction workers’ unions active in 450 Iranian urban centers. “Currently, construction workers who are waiting for insurance have been identified,” he says. “For those who are not insured, their statistics and information can be collected by construction workers’ associations across the country. And whenever social security wants, we provide it to the organization through the center.” Unions can help unemployed workers obtain information about insurance.

Workers of the Zayanderud Construction org. in #Isfahan, central #Iran gathered today protesting issues with their contracts and paychecks. #IranProtests pic.twitter.com/abADxT9dAP

— Iran News Wire (@IranNW) October 29, 2019

Construction workers’ concerns not helped by the regime

It has become harder for construction workers to pay their insurance premiums but this situation hasn’t been helped by the regime, which is not making it any easier for them. The government seems to be more interested in boosting revenue for the Social Security Administration.

Seventy Percent of #Iran’s Construction Workers Are Unemployed https://t.co/ANk8jge0ED #IranProtests

— Javad Dabiran (@JavadDabiran) November 7, 2020

Construction workers have become more worried by the drafting of the amendment to Article 5 of the Construction Workers’ Insurance Law. The Social Security Organization has been behind the drafting of this amendment although it has already been signed by 30 parliamentarians.

It seems that the outcome of these changes in construction workers’ insurance and social protection measures may make life even more uncertain or these workers during the pandemic. “Many people have nothing to eat but bread and cheese,” acknowledged the deputy chairman of the Iranian Majlis Economic Commission. He has been criticizing the government’s plans.

November 3 – Tehran, #Iran
A young man is seen searching in trash, most likely for something to sell. More than 60 million people are living in poverty across the country.#41YearsOfMisery pic.twitter.com/jsjJpeo4Od

— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) November 2, 2020

No help for unemployed workers in Iran: the regime is content to see people starve

Unlike many other countries where the pandemic has caused widespread unemployment, there has been little or no government helps available in Iran. Billions of dollars have been spent in most other countries in an attempt to prevent the worst outcomes for the unemployed and to stimulate the Covid stricken economies.

All that has happened in Iran is the issuing of empty words, which no-one can eat. It seems the mullahs’ regime is content to see its poorest citizens starve.

While the regime buries its head in the sand and the economic crisis worsens, the opposition movement is growing stronger. Protests organized by the People’s Mujahedin Organisation of Iran (PMOI / MEK Iran) have swept across the country and spread to all sectors of Iranian society.

The only way to end poverty, corruption, unemployment and disease, is overthrowing the clerical regime and establishing democracy and people’s sovereignty in #Iran. #FreeIran pic.twitter.com/eUtaL6fylx

— Maryam Rajavi (@Maryam_Rajavi) October 31, 2020

and People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran – MEK IRAN – YouTube