Hengaw’s statistical annual report on violation of workers 'rights in Iranian Kurdistan on May 1 , the International Workers' Day

Hengaw : As of  May 1, The International Workers' Day, Hengaw Human Rights Organization, publishes a statistical annual report on workers’ rights violations in Iranian Kurdistan.

According to statistics recorded by the Statistics and Documentation Data Center of Hengaw Human Rights Organization, from May 1, 2020 to May 1, 2021, at least 712 violations of workers' rights were reported in Iranian Kurdistan, including the death of 68 workers in work accidents, also  16  workers, farmers and ranchers were killed and injured in landmine explosions , 255 Kolbars and traders were injured, 18 Labor activists ans Kolbars  were arrested, and 354 workers were fired.

At least 5  workers under the age of 18  lost their lives during this period, one of whom died in work-related accidents and 4  during working as Kolbars .

69 workers died in work accidents:

According to Hengaw’s statistics, from May 1, 2020 to May 1, 2021, at least 69 Kurdish workers lost their lives as a result of work accidents, one of whom was under 18 years old.

Out of a total of 69 workers who lost their lives, 33 workers were from Kurdistan province (Sanandaj), 19 workers from West Azerbaijan (Urmia) province, 12 workers from Kermanshah province and 5 workers from Ilam province.

Also, 7 of these cases were recorded in the cities of the Iraqi Kurdistan Region , 7 in the central cities of Iran and 55 in different cities of Iranian Kurdistan.

29 workers lost their lives due to falling from height, 12 workers due to traffic accidents, 10 workers due to electric shock, 9 workers due to the collapse of the walls and 3 workers due to fire .

Mine explosion Victims:

Last year, at least 16 shepherds, farmers and ranchers were killed by landmine explosions in Iranian Kurdistan's border, 5 of whom died  and 11 were injured .

Death of 67 Kolbars :

According to Hengaw’s statistics, from May 1, 2020 to May 1, 2021, at least 67 Kolbars were killed on the borders of Iranian Kurdistan.

Out of these 67 Kolbars , 46 were killed by direct fire from the Iranian and Turkish armed force, 16 due to natural  disasters , 3 due to traffic accidents and 2 due to Turkish armed forces’ torture .

At least 188 Kolbars and traders were also injured during the period.

At least 7 Kolbars  under the age of 18 have were  killed, 4 of them died and three others injured.

Detention of labor activists:

According to statistics recorded by Hengaw’s Statistics and Documentation Data Center, from May 1, 2020 to May 1, 2021, at least 7 Kurdish labor activists and 11 Kolbars were arrested  by security services of the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Dismissal of at least 354 workers:

During this period , in addition to the majority of workers being laid off following the outbreak of the Corona virus pandemic , at least 354 workers were dismissed by order of their companies.

The numbers are as follows:

Sanandaj Cooperative Company fired at least 30 workers in January 2021.

Ilam Petrochemical fired at least 300 workers in February 2021.

The construction company of Chaparabad Dam in Piranshahr fired at least 24 workers.

It is worth mentioning that there is no right to assembly, association and freedom of association in accordance with universal human rights standards, including the Covenants on Human Rights and Fundamental Rights of Labor, in the legal system of the Islamic Republic of Iran .

Only government-sponsored labor institutions are allowed to operate in the workplaces, which have no effect on improving the working conditions and the education of workers' legitimate rights, and merely safeguarding the ideological values ​​of government in the workplace.  There is no tolerance for trade unions outside the legal framework, and any membership in organizations such as the Coordinating Committee for the Establishment of Independent Trade Unions is met with vague charges such as acting against national security.