Persecution continues at Haft Tappeh Sugar Cane

On 17 June 2019, Haft Tappeh Sugar Cane workers published the names of 100 individuals who had supported the cause of the Haft Tappeh workers and had been subject to prosecution and/or persecution as a result. Among them, a total of 31 workers were arrested during the protests at Haft Tappeh, which were about the state’s mediatised privatisation of the company and outstanding wages and benefits. Nine labour activists were also arrested in connection with supporting Haft Tappeh protests. Sixty more workers were arrested in recent months. Security forces also used phone calls to threaten workers.

On 23 September 2019, Haft Tappeh Sugar Cane workers started a new round of protests and strikes to protest the arbitrary dismissal of over twenty workers. Security forces threatened several workers with phone calls, summoned some to local security offices and arrested three workers. Fourteen workers were also arrested in October in relation for their participation in the protests. All workers were released on bail a few days after.