Happy International Workers’ Day – May 1
Workers in Iran are facing a crisis
On May 1, International Workers’ Day, during the war , workers in Iran are facing an economic crisis beyond endurance. Rampant inflation has drastically reduced household purchasing power, and the inability to meet basic needs has even endangered their physical health. Access to minimum daily nutrition has become a serious challenge for many. Under such conditions, war has intensified these pressures and pushed workers’ lives to the brink of a humanitarian crisis—where survival has replaced living.
Workers’ Problems During War
With the outbreak of the recent war, a significant portion of key industries and production and service units were either directly targeted or pushed toward shutdown due to the economic consequences of war. This has led to a deep recession, workforce reductions, and a surge in unemployment.
According to Ahmad Meydari, Iran’s Minister of Cooperatives, Labor, and Social Welfare, around 147,000 people registered as unemployed in the past two months—an increase of about 50,000 compared to the same period last year.
Field estimates and unofficial reports indicate that:
Between 1 to 2 million jobs have been lost due to war and economic recession.
If the situation continues without proper government planning, unemployment could exceed 4 million people.
Severe Conditions Across Different Sectors
In companies with fewer than 100 employees, many have shut down completely.
In the construction sector, 80% to 90% of workers are effectively unemployed.
Some companies have not formally closed but have laid off more than 60% of their workforce or forced employees into unpaid leave.
Large companies—including shipping and automobile industries, as well as major steel producers like Khuzestan Steel—have halted operations until the end of Farvardin.
Even under wartime conditions, the government is obligated to prioritize rebuilding production units and protecting the labor market. Relevant ministries—such as Industry, Economy, and Labor—along with institutions like the Social Security Organization, bear significant responsibility.
- Article 3 of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the government must eliminate poverty and deprivation and ensure access to welfare, employment, and healthcare.
- Article 29 of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Iran, social security, unemployment benefits, retirement, disability support, and healthcare are rights of all citizens, and the government is responsible for providing them.
Based on the Universal Declaration of Human Rights:
- Article 22: Right to social security
- Article 23: Right to work and job security
- Article 25: Right to adequate living standards, including food, housing, and healthcare
Also, according to the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals:
- Goal 1: End poverty in all its forms
- Goal 8: Promote inclusive and sustainable economic growth and decent work for all
While honoring International Workers’ Day and expressing concern over people’s living conditions, the Association condemns, Human rights violations by the Islamic Republic of Iran, War policies, Mass arrests, torture, and executions under the pretext of war, presence of foreign forces and destruction of the national economy, and calls for Full respect for human rights, Implementation of international conventions, Protection of workers, Compensation for damages, Transparent reconstruction and stabilization of the labor market
Defense of Human Rights Association in Iran
Defense of Work and Workers Rights Committee
Translated by Alireza Jahan Bin
