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MEOG                                              POLICY                                               MEOG


       Iranian workers strike




       amid wage payment delays




        IRAN             IRANIAN oil and gas workers began industrial  the bills is not surprising given the multiple
                         action on August 1 following delays to wage  challenges of sanctions, soft oil demand and the
                         payments. According to local media, all workers  impact of coronavirus (COVID-19).
                         went on strike at the Abadan, Parsian and Qeshm   However, the country’s oil and gas sector has
                         refineries, the Lamerd petrochemical complex  in recent weeks sought to independently fight its
                         and South Pars gas field facilities, demanding  way out of the current situation, with local com-
                         the implementation of the job-classification law  panies contracted to develop large assets in the
                         as well as overdue pay and benefits.  south-west.
                           Radio Farda quoted contractors at Qeshm   Tehran has made positive noises about the
                         refinery as saying that their employers had failed  prospect of sanctions being lifted; however, there
                         to pay them regularly.               is little prospect of such a change while US Presi-
                           Meanwhile, the industrial action adds to  dent Donald Trump remains in office.
                         the growing tension at Abadan refinery, where   Speaking in mid-July, Oil Minister Bijan
                         workers have protested in recent months. At  Zanganeh was quoted by official energy indus-
                         complexes in Assaluyeh dedicated to phases 22  try media outlet Shana as saying: “It is true that
                         and 24 of South Pars workers have gone on strike  our oil production has now decreased because
                         again, with industrial action having been taken  of the unfair sanctions. But it will not remain like
                         several times there over the past three years.  this forever. We should increase capacity so that
                           Despite the widespread discontent, the state-  anytime needed, we enter the market with full
                         owned Iran Labor News Agency (ILNA) quoted  force and revive our share.”
                         a director at Qeshm as saying that workers are   Zanganeh highlighted the prolific West
                         seeking raises, adding that there are no issues  Karoun oil region, noting that the Islamic
                         with overdue wage payments.          Republic would seek to ramp up output from
                           That Iranian industry is struggling to pay  reservoirs shared with neighbouring Iraq.™






       UAE holds rare ‘digital




       meeting’ with Iran






        UAE/IRAN         THE foreign ministers of Iran and the United  reported.
                         Arab Emirates held a Skype meeting to discuss   Iran’s foreign minister Mohammad Javad
                         the coronavirus (COVID-19) situation in the  Zarif said in a tweet on Sunday that it was “a very
                         region and ongoing conflict in Syria and Yemen,  substantive frank and friendly video conversa-
                         Tasnim reported on August 2.         tion” on COVID-19 and “bilateral regional and
                           Abu Dhabi and Tehran have struggled with  global situations.”
                         their previously close trading relationship due to   “We agreed to continue dialogue on theme
                         the ongoing skirmishes in Yemen and the con-  of hope—especially as region faces tough chal-
                         trolling Emirate’s tacit support for the United  lenges and tougher choices,” ahead.
                         States’ all-out blockade on the Iranian economy.  The UAE WAM state news agency reported
                           In recent months, fissures between Dubai  that the two diplomats exchanged greetings for
                         and Abu Dhabi have taken their toll on UAE  the Eid al-Adha Muslim holiday and discussed
                         unity with the more well-known city looking to  the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak in the
                         rebuild its long-held trading relationship with  region.
                         the other side of the Persian Gulf.    Bin Zayed emphasized “enhancing inter-
                           In the video call, the two men discussed the  national cooperation, solidarity and synergy
                         ongoing coronavirus epidemic and the issues of  between all countries” to tackle the virus, WAM
                         regional connectivity the Iranian news agency  reported.™




       P8                                       www. NEWSBASE .com                         Week 31   05•August•2020
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