The AzarAb company workers have continued their protest for the 14th day despite more arrests and intense security atmosphere. According to labor rights activists, at least 40 protesting workers have been arrested in the past 24 hours.

The workers continued their strike and shut down the factory, with reports on social media about the presence of anti-riot police on the site.

The protesting workers have demanded the release of their arrested colleagues.

On the 13th day of the protests, the workers blocked the north-south railroad while chanting in protest to the irresponsibility and negligence of authorities and demanding their three-months-delayed paychecks.

In response, the riot police attacked the workers with batons and tear gas which led to several injuries. Several workers were hospitalized for it and some witnesses have heard gunshots during the attack.

The members of the workers' council of the company had stated that the reasons for these protests are delayed paychecks and ambiguity about the owners of the company.

According to the workers, Bank Keshavarzi, which is the majority stockholder in the company, has “completely neglected the company and does not accept any responsibility

Previously several AzrAb workers were summoned and charged by the security police for supporting the protests of workers in HEPCO, and Haft-Tappeh Sugarcane company.

Their social media has released a statement by the workers which says: “Our spouses and children spend each night with tears in their eyes because of the father that didn’t come home and the father who came back with bloody and broken hand and skull.” They continue: “Was it justified for the police to respond to us so violently, even though we have not stolen from anyone nor stepped on anyone’s rights. We are just embarrassed in front of our families.”

However, the office of the governor of Markazi province claimed that despite the protests, the province’s economic indicators are much better than last year.