Due to a lack of safety measures and poor working conditions, 17 workers were injured in a fire at the Faruj tomato paste factory’s warehouse.
According to Kolbarnews, on Friday, November 1, 2024, a fire in the Faruj tomato paste factory’s warehouse led to the injury of 17 workers. Of these, 12 received on-site medical treatment, while four were taken to Faruj Hospital and one was transferred to Shirvan Hospital due to the severity of their injuries. The identities of the injured workers have not been confirmed as of the report.
It is noteworthy that official media reports have downplayed the incident, using vague language to cover up the negligence of the factory’s management and owners. Phrases such as “workers experienced respiratory issues while moving warehouse items due to smoke inhalation” or “workers experienced breathing difficulties due to their movement through smoke” were used to trivialize the risks.
Under this system of power and capital, a worker’s life has become so devalued that media outlets describe “moving through smoke to transfer items” during a fire as a normal part of their duties. Sending workers into smoke and flames, resulting in the injury of 17 people, does not lead to any consequences for the factory owner, but instead is depicted as an unquestioned right of capital. One news outlet even quoted the governor of Faruj proudly stating, “Fortunately, there were no fatalities.” This reflects the prevailing view that, even if sending workers into a fire leads to fatalities, it would only be considered a “routine accident.”
In 2023, a total of 2,115 workers (2,094 men and 21 women) lost their lives in work-related incidents, marking an 11.3% increase compared to the previous year’s 1,900 fatalities. Globally, Iran ranks 102nd for workplace safety standards, placing it among the least safe countries in the area of occupational safety, with many workers facing accidents due to the lack of adequate safety measures.
