Workers laid off from the Shahab Car Manufacturing Company protested against their dismissal today in front of the Iranian Ministry of Employment and Social Security, calling for intervention on their behalf.

ILNA reports that following last Wednesday’s unsuccessful protests in front of the President’s office, the workers gathered this morning in front of the Labour Ministry, noting that Iran’s Supreme Leader has dubbed this the year of “National Production, support for Iranian labour and capital.”

ILNA quoted the workers’ representative saying: “Laying off workers at the beginning of the New Year, in view of the fact that this year’s motto was declared as support for work and production, has been a complete shock to the workers.”

In his New Year Speech, Ayatollah Khamenei named the New Year as the year of “National Production and Support for Iranian Labour and Capital” and added that solving domestic production problems would be the key to overcoming obstacles created by the country’s enemies.

“We call on the government, the Members of Parliament and other officials to take immediate action to return our workers back to their jobs and pay their back wages,” he said.

Iranian workers have been faced with harsh times in recent years with rising layoffs and the non-payment of wages. The Iranian manufacturing sector has suffered for its inability to compete with cheap Chinese imports.

Source : Radio Zamaneh