Thousands of Iranian workers from across the country called on the Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Khamenei on Monday, April 30.
Speaking at the meeting, which was held on the eve of the international Labor Day, the Leader referred to the significant role that is played by workers in the country's economic progress, and he also expounded on Islam's viewpoint on labor.
Ayatollah Khamenei stated that the Iranian labor community, despite all the plots and political machinations over the past 27 years, has always sided with the Islamic system and has never left factories or ceased its productive efforts even for a single moment. He pointed out that this reality brings great honor to the Iranian labor community.
Elsewhere in his remarks, the Leader of the Islamic Republic described the Iranian workers as faithful, righteous, revolutionary and loyal to the objectives of the Islamic Revolution.
"Among the main features of the Iranian labor community is that it has always sought to solve its problems within the framework of the Islamic system, which aims to raise the living standards of the underprivileged strata and promote social justice. But the pro-Western systems have shown in practice that they have no pity for workers," the Leader told the audience.
Ayatollah Khamenei also stated that workers, employers and government are the main factors contributing to the country's economic progress. He added that achieving economic progress is one of the country's major objectives, and that the perquisite for this progress and increasing productivity is the proper cooperation between workers and employers and government and their performance of their responsibilities in an appropriate manner.
"Under the Islamic system both workers and employers deserve respect and both should have a fair and equitable share in profits. Therefore, it is the government's responsibility to formulate appropriate working relations between workers and employers and remove the sense of insecurity on the part of each one of them, especially on the part of workers who need greater government support, and thus prepare the ground for the country's accelerated economic progress and prosperity through the promotion of investment and the creation of value-added," Ayatollah Khamenei observed.
Further in his statements, the Leader of the Islamic Republic hinted at the attempts made by the enemies to undermine the atmosphere of harmony and accord in the Iranian society.
"The enemies have targeted the unity and solidarity of the Iranian nation and are trying to sabotage the government's plans. Therefore, as the current year has been designated 'the Year of National Unity and Islamic Solidarity', all social strata and various trades are expected to strengthen their harmony and solidarity and turn the country into a scene of sound competition to render services and accelerate the country's economic progress," the Leader noted.
Ayatollah Khamenei stated that the Iranian people have displayed their talents and capabilities over the past 27 years and proved that the era of humiliating the Iranian nation has come to an end.
"The independent, dignified and honorable Iranian nation, with its abundant human resources and its young talents, is more prepared today than ever to tread the path to progress and prosperity in a speedy manner," Ayatollah Khamenei pointed out.
Before the Leader's statements, the Minister of Labor and Social Affairs Sayyid Mohammad Jahromi presented a report about the measures that have already been taken by his ministry with respect to human resources, physical assets and social assets as the three pivots of his ministry's activities.
Jahromi said that the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs attaches special significance to training, especially technical and professional skills, and that it has prioritized efforts to increase productivity. He added that technical and professional training during the past year rose by 107 percent.
The labor minister further said that the removal of obstacles to production and investment, setting the stage for new investments, solving certain problems related to the workers' livelihood, the holding of elections for the Islamic councils of workers and the trade associations of employers and also efforts to formulate appropriate working relations between workers and employers have been among other measures taken by his ministry.