On the eve of May 1, International Workers’ Day, the working class of Iran is experiencing one of the most difficult periods of its existence; a period in which war, as a heavy and destructive burden, weighs not only on society as a whole but specifically and disproportionately on the lives and livelihoods of workers. This historic day, which has always been a symbol of solidarity, struggle, and hope for the liberation of the working class, arrives this year under conditions where workers in Iran are faced with a combination of poverty, unemployment, job insecurity, and threats to their lives.
The ongoing war has, above all, targeted human lives. Workers, who constitute the labor force in industries, mines, workshops, and services, not only lose their lives in unsafe work environments lacking safety standards, but also become victims of attacks, destruction of infrastructure, and wartime conditions. In recent months, numerous reports have been published of workers being killed and injured due to the bombing of factories, refineries, power plants, and even small workshops. Workers who were already exposed to workplace hazards now find themselves in far more dangerous conditions, caught between gradual death caused by poverty and sudden death caused by war.
But the catastrophe does not end here. War has severely disrupted Iran’s economic structure, and its consequences have directly overshadowed the lives of workers. According to official reports, in just the past month since the escalation of hostilities, about one million people have directly lost their jobs. This figure alone reflects the depth of the crisis engulfing Iran’s labor market. In addition, the paralysis of ports and widespread power and internet outages have caused around two million more people to be indirectly pushed out of the labor cycle or placed on the brink of unemployment. This means that millions of working-class families, in a short period of time, have fallen abruptly into poverty.
This tsunami of unemployment has rapidly spread across all economic sectors. In the digital economy, which in recent years had become an important field of employment, widespread internet disruptions have effectively paralyzed this sector. Its 5 to 6 percent share of the gross domestic product has sharply declined under current conditions, leaving thousands of skilled and semi-skilled workers unemployed. This is while many of these workers lack any form of social protection or insurance coverage.
In the industrial sector, the situation is even more critical. An industry that accounts for about 33 percent of the country’s employment has been effectively crippled due to the destruction of factories, power plants, and vital infrastructure. Workers who previously struggled to make ends meet with meager wages and temporary contracts are now facing the complete shutdown of their workplaces. Many of them have not only lost their jobs but also have no prospect of returning to work. This situation has imposed enormous economic and psychological pressure on workers and their families.
In the service sector and among self-employed workers, conditions are not much different. Runaway inflation, which has reached around 70 percent, has severely reduced people’s purchasing power and minimized demand for services. The result has been the widespread closure of small businesses, especially in large cities. Workers in this sector, who often lack any form of legal protection, have been left completely defenseless in the face of this crisis. Many have been forced to accept temporary, informal jobs with extremely low wages.
Under such conditions, the working class more than ever needs an active and organized presence in the arena of social struggles. Historical experience has shown that none of the rights and achievements of workers have been gained without struggle and solidarity. Today as well, to confront this crisis, workers must rely on their collective strength. Class solidarity, independent and nationwide organization, and the use of effective tools of struggle, including strikes, are among the most urgent needs of this period.
May Day, in this context, is a vital opportunity to emphasize these needs. This day can become a platform for raising the fundamental demands of workers. Demands such as securing a minimum wage in line with real living costs, guaranteeing job security, establishing comprehensive unemployment insurance, and ensuring safe working conditions must be voiced loudly and in unity.
However, achieving these demands is not possible without the independent organization of workers. Distancing from state-affiliated and ineffective unions and moving toward the creation of genuine institutions that represent workers’ interests is a fundamental step in this direction.
Only through such organizations can workers increase their bargaining power and stand against anti-worker policies.
Strikes, as one of the most important tools of struggle for the working class, play a key role in this regard. The experience of various countries has shown that organized and nationwide strikes can shift the balance of power in favor of workers. Of course, achieving such strikes requires preparation, coordination, and broad solidarity. Here, the role of employed and unemployed workers together becomes especially important. Unemployment is a threat that affects every worker; therefore, unity between these two sections of the working class can become a decisive force in advancing struggles.
Finally, it must be emphasized that although the current conditions are extremely difficult and exhausting, they can also provide the ground for the formation of a strong and conscious labor movement. War, with all its destruction, has made deep social and economic contradictions more visible than ever.
This awareness, if accompanied by organization and collective action, can become a force for change.
