Thousands of workers in Iran's energy sector have held protests demanding better wages and working conditions in southern gasfields and some refineries in big cities, according to Iranian news agencies and social media posts.
With an economy tanked under the weight of US sanctions and the worst Covid-19 pandemic impact in the Middle East, Iran has faced nearly continuous protests by workers and pensioners for months over an inflation rate of more than 50 per cent, high unemployment and unpaid wages.
An unspecified number of workers with temporary hiring contracts "stayed home" to press for higher wages earlier this week in Assaluyeh, Iran's main gas production hub on the Gulf, the semi-official Iranian Labour News Agency (Ilna) reported.
Some officials and parliamentarians acknowledged the protests and called for efforts to help resolve the issues that prompted them.
"Since we learnt of the labour actions and their salary and benefit demands … the issues are being seriously followed up in [parliament's] Energy Commission," Mousa Ahmadi, an MP whose district includes Assaluyeh, told Ilna.
According to rights groups and social media posts, Tehran's refinery has fired 700 striking workers. A social media video showed refinery workers holding up what appeared to be notices of termination.
Shaker Khafai, spokesman for the state-run Tehran Oil Refining Company, denied the dismissals claim and said a subcontractor had laid off 35 workers, the state news agency Irna reported.
The protesters under the banner of Campaign 1400, a reference to the Iranian calendar year, held two gatherings on Thursday. One of the demonstrations was at a power plant in Iran's Gulf island of Qeshm, the Human Rights Activists News Agency , which is based outside the country, reported on Friday.
There was no immediate report of widespread action against protesters by security forces, which have cracked down on protests in the past, especially when they have turned political.
Iran held a presidential election last week, won by hardline judiciary chief Ebrahim Raisi, who will take office in August, replacing pragmatist Hassan Rouhani.
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Price, base / as tested Dh137,000 / Dh189,950
Engine 3.6-litre V6
Gearbox Eight-speed automatic
Power 280hp @ 6,200rpm
Torque 360Nm @ 2,750rpm
Fuel economy, combined 11.7L / 100km
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The specs: 2018 BMW R nineT Scrambler
Price, base / as tested Dh57,000
Engine 1,170cc air/oil-cooled flat twin four-stroke engine
Transmission Six-speed gearbox
Power 110hp) @ 7,750rpm
Torque 116Nm @ 6,000rpm
Fuel economy, combined 5.3L / 100km
Key figures in the life of the fort
Sheikh Dhiyab bin Isa (ruled 1761-1793) Built Qasr Al Hosn as a watchtower to guard over the only freshwater well on Abu Dhabi island.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Dhiyab (ruled 1793-1816) Expanded the tower into a small fort and transferred his ruling place of residence from Liwa Oasis to the fort on the island.
Sheikh Tahnoon bin Shakhbut (ruled 1818-1833) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further as Abu Dhabi grew from a small village of palm huts to a town of more than 5,000 inhabitants.
Sheikh Khalifa bin Shakhbut (ruled 1833-1845) Repaired and fortified the fort.
Sheikh Saeed bin Tahnoon (ruled 1845-1855) Turned Qasr Al Hosn into a strong two-storied structure.
Sheikh Zayed bin Khalifa (ruled 1855-1909) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further to reflect the emirate's increasing prominence.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Sultan (ruled 1928-1966) Renovated and enlarged Qasr Al Hosn, adding a decorative arch and two new villas.
Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan (ruled 1966-2004) Moved the royal residence to Al Manhal palace and kept his diwan at Qasr Al Hosn.
Sources: Jayanti Maitra, www.adach.ae
RESULT
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Tottenham 2 (Moura 8', Vertonghen 90 1')
Man of the Match: Adama Traore (Wolves)
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