As scores of workers are laid off each passing day, Iran’s government has stepped up its pressure on labor activists, even though more workers across the country are organizing peaceful gatherings and strikes. However, despite international efforts, Mansour Osanlu and Mahmoud Salehi, two labor activists who are suffering from serious ailments have not yet been released from prison after months of detention.

In a recent ruling, five labor activists from Saghez were also sentenced to imprisonment and flogging. The Saghez Revolutionary Court convicted Rahim Hosseini, Ata Hosseini, Anvar Hosseinzadeh, Kamel Hakimi, and Khaled Bikhali to taking part in an “illegal gathering.”

According to the Kurdistan Center for Defense of Human Rights, these five individuals were sentenced to three months and one day imprisonment and 40 lashes. The court suspended the punishment for 3 years, though the sentence states that the individuals will face new charges if they commit any crimes until their probation ends.

The ruling also forbids the activists from meeting with “prominent” political and social figures.

Yesterday, 22 workers that were laid off from a Sanandaj textile factory continued their sit-in for the seventh straight day in front of Kurdistan governor’s office. The workers, all of whom have worked for 10 or more years at the factory, were laid off several weeks ago due to a supposed sale of the factory.

In another incident, more than 1000 workers from the Haft-Tapeh sugar cane company staged a strike and demonstration for the sixteenth time. The workers have not been paid their wages and are angry at the indifference of managers to their demands.

New reports noted that the workers were harassed several times during their demonstration while en route to their destination. The disgruntled workers announced that they would continue their strike until their demands are met.

The workers have not been paid any wages or benefits for the past 3 months. Job security, health insurance benefits, bonuses, and changes in management are among the workers’ demands.

Last month, the Haft Tapeh workers wrote an open letter to human rights activists in Iran and the International Labor Federation asking for support in their struggle.