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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