On the evening of Saturday, September 21, 2024, the tragic news of the deaths of 52 hardworking miners due to methane gas leakage in the tunnels of the Madanjo coal mine in Tabas broke our hearts. This painful incident not only brought sorrow over the loss of these diligent workers but also once again highlighted how, in the current class structure, the rights and dignity of workers in Iran are disregarded. They remain victims of economic and social oppression.
According to the governor of Khorasan, at least 52 workers have lost their lives, with the fate of others still unknown. The disaster occurred 250 meters deep in the mine. The Islamic Republic’s official news agency, IRNA, reported that at the time of the incident, 69 workers were working in two blocks, Block C and Block B, with 22 workers in Block C and 47 in Block B. Rescue operations are reportedly being complicated by the high levels of methane gas in the mine.
These workers, toiling under dangerous and grueling conditions to provide for their families, fell victim to the lack of safety standards and the violation of basic human rights. The Tabas mine disaster is yet another symbol of the persistent neglect of workers’ conditions, leading to such tragedies. In a society where the interests of a select class are built on the backs of workers, and their fundamental rights are ignored in favor of profit, these events are not accidents—they are the inevitable consequence of a profit-driven capitalist system.
This bitter tragedy underscores the depth of injustice and inequality embedded in Iran’s social and economic structures. The working class, the backbone of Iran’s economy, bears the heaviest burden while receiving the least in terms of safety, fair wages, and resources. While capital owners and managers profit from the labor of these workers, the workers themselves face deadly risks and are deprived of their most basic human rights.
We extend our deepest condolences to the grieving families, colleagues of these brave souls, and all those fighting for freedom, equality, and workers’ rights. This grief can only be alleviated by fundamental changes to the class structures and the full realization of workers’ rights. In solidarity with the workers and all who seek justice, we call for an end to the exploitation and inequality rooted in class systems and capitalism.
The memory of these heroic workers will forever live in our hearts.
Kolbarnews
