On 22 September, the methane explosion at a depth of 700 meters in the Tabas coal mine
killed at least 52 people and injured 20.

Before the disaster, the workers had informed management of a smell of methane in the
galleries, but they had still been forced to return to their workstations. The deaths of these
workers were therefore entirely preventable.

We vehemently condemn this veritable massacre.

We express our condolences and solidarity to the miners and their families.

This mining disaster is not an isolated event:
– in 2009, 20 miners were killed in several accidents,
– in 2013, 11 died in two separate incidents,
– in 2017, an explosion killed at least 42 people in Azadshahr,
– in May 2021 in Damghan, two miners lost their lives in a collapse, then six others in 2023 in an explosion.

The frequency of these fatal mining accidents clearly shows that we are facing a systemic
problem and a lack of political will to prevent them:
– On the one hand, the non-compliance with safety standards to ensure the safety of
employees;
– On the other hand, the inadequacy of emergency services in mining areas.

The existence of independent trade unions would also greatly facilitate monitoring of security
conditions. The probability of such accidents would be considerably reduced.

The responsibility of the government in place is clearly engaged. Official statistics published in 2023 indicate that 2115 people were killed in 2023 in work accidents, and 27,000 injured.

According to international labour conventions, the government and private employers are
obliged to protect the safety and protection of workers’ lives in the workplace.

We urge the Iranian regime to take measures to protect the lives of minors, in
particular, carry out serious inspections.

The health and safety of minors cannot be left to the discretion of employers.

Confédération française démocratique du travail (CFDT)
Confédération générale du travail (CGT)
Fédération syndicale unitaire (FSU)
Union syndicale Solidaires
Union nationale des syndicats autonomes (UNSA)

Paris, 10/10/2024