In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful
All praise is due to God, Lord of the Worlds, and may peace and greetings be upon our Master and our Prophet, the beloved of our hearts, Abul-Qasim al-Mustafa Muhammad, and upon his untainted, pure, chosen Progeny, particularly the Remnant of God on earth.
Welcome, dear brothers and sisters. This annual gathering with our dear workers here in the Hussainiyah is always an important occasion for me. Issues related to labor and workers influence the country’s future.
First, I would like to congratulate you on the blessed birth anniversary of Imam Abul-Hassan al-Reza (pbuh). I take it as a fortunate sign that this gathering has coincided with such a noble occasion. I would also like to honor the memory of our dear martyr, Martyr Raisi, who cared about and followed up on people’s affairs, especially issues concerning our workers.
The points that the minister raised here were all valid. That is, the points about the gaps that exist, the needs that are present, and the actions that need to be taken, which he listed one by one, are all correct. The only point I want to emphasize is that he himself, the ministry, and certain other parts of the government should understand that they themselves are the audience of these remarks. I sincerely pray that Almighty God will assist them and grant them the ability to carry out these tasks. If they are determined and firmly make this decision, they can achieve these.
Regarding labor-related issues, many of the necessary points have already been discussed. Of course, some good work has also been done, but there are certain areas that need to be emphasized. Even if these areas have been mentioned before, they need to be repeated. I have noted a few points that I would like to share with you.
The first point is about valuing [workers]. The primary audience for this section about valuing workers and valuing work is you, the workers. Because you should know your own worth and understand how what you do fits into the broader framework of creation, society, spiritual aspirations, and religious values.
One issue is the value of workers, and not just because of the work they do but because of their human dignity. A worker has two key qualities, each of which is a virtue in the sight of Almighty God. First, they strive to earn a halal [Islamically lawful] livelihood and daily sustenance through their own efforts. They don’t become a burden on others, don’t rely on others without contributing, don’t steal, and don’t pull the wealth of others toward themselves. They rely on their own strength and their own labor, whatever type of work they do, each in their own way. This is a virtue and is an important task. It’s how people should live. It’s a model for every human being. Living should be based on relying on one’s own self and relying on one’s own strength. This is one quality.
The second quality, which is also an important virtue, is that a worker fulfills the needs of others. You produce industrial, agricultural, or service-related goods for people and make them available to them. In other words, you are helping others in their lives. From a human perspective, these two qualities are highly valuable. They’re virtues. Suppose we wanted to determine someone’s value. Let's say there is someone who does worship acts and all that, but he doesn't make any effort for his own life or for the survival of himself and his family. A worker is superior to such a person, [because] he makes an effort, he works.
This is what we mean when we talk about valuing [workers]. This is in relation to the worker as a worker and as a human being.
Now, as for valuing work itself, this is extremely important and truly significant. Work is one of the main pillars for managing human life. Without work, human life comes to a standstill. Capital is undoubtedly influential and knowledge is undoubtedly influential, but capital and knowledge without a driving force and without workers are of no use and yield no benefit. It is workers who breathe life into the body of capital. We said this year [the slogan] is "Investment for Production." Very well, the most important capital is workers.
Investments should be made, but people need to also keep in mind that this financial investment won’t lead anywhere without the worker’s determination, abilities, and will. This is the role of work. It’s one of the main pillars ensuring the strength and continuity of society. This is precisely why you see that the enemies of any society, including the enemies of the Islamic Republic, have from the very beginning of the Revolution and continuing up until today have tried to discourage the community of workers from working within the framework of the Islamic Republic and have tried to incite their discontent. This has been happening from day one.
I have memories about this matter, but now isn’t the time to share them. Back then, the communists and Marxists sought to seize and take control of the workers' environments. They would suddenly shut down an entire sector, causing it to become paralyzed. Every sector they shut down was crippled. The same motive exists today. Back then, it was the communists who did this. [But] today, it's the agents of the CIA and Mossad. Of course, both then and now, our workers have stood firmly and delivered a powerful blow to them [those enemies].
So, we’ve said that the most important capital is the worker. In other words, the impact of workers is greater than that of money, scientific research, etc. “What should we do with this capital?” This is the first of the duties we have toward workers. Some of these duties may fall on me, some on the minister, some on the investors and entrepreneurs, some on the general public, and some on the media. Anyway, we all have certain duties toward workers.
In order for workers to be able to perform their job properly — do quality work that benefits others and stand on their own feet — they have certain needs. One of these needs is job security. Another is physical safety. The accidents that sometimes happen to workers are deeply upsetting. These are [damaging] blows. [So one need is] safety. Another need is addressing their concerns about livelihood. These tasks must be done. Now, I will briefly touch on some of these points and then we’ll move on.
The first issue is job security. A worker must know that they will remain in their job so that they can plan ahead without constantly worrying about how long their job will last or when it may end. Job security means the continuation of their job isn’t dependent on someone else’s will. This security must be ensured. There was a period a few years ago when many factories were shut down under various pretexts. This goes against job security. Sometimes reports would come that a certain factory had closed. We would ask why that had happened, and the excuses they would give us were that they lacked raw materials, the machinery was outdated, and so on. Of course, these issues exist, but there are ways to correct them. These matters need to be sorted out. Factories shouldn’t close.
There have been cases, which I’ve pointed out before, where the shutting down of factories was an act of betrayal. They were closed because the land [where the factories were located] had gained value. So they would sell off the machinery in one way or another, somehow buy out the workers, and make a more profitable use of the land for more money! They did this for money and out of personal greed. This is where both the monitoring agencies and the judiciary must be vigilant. This is one of the fundamental, important tasks.
Government institutions, such as the Ministry of Labor and other relevant bodies, also have the responsibility to prevent this. According to the statistics given to us, 8,000 factories were brought back into operation during the administration of Martyr Raisi. So this is possible. It’s possible to revive a closed factory or one operating at a third or a quarter of its capacity. This was one of the proud achievements of that dear martyr, and he had mentioned it to me on numerous occasions. So job security is a key issue.
In addition to this job security, let me also say this that job security for workers must go hand in hand with job security for entrepreneurs. In other words, the entrepreneur must also have job security. We shouldn’t act in a way that makes them feel their investment and the preservation of their capital will lead to losses. They too must have job security. The right approach, the correct policy, is to ensure that we can preserve job security for both the worker and the entrepreneur.
The second issue I’ve made a note of, which is essential for the labor sector, is the matter of “skills development.” One of the things we must focus on is working to ensure that our workers become highly skilled. If a worker becomes proficient in their craft, the work produced will be better, of higher-quality, and more outstanding. Naturally, this benefits the producer, the worker, and society. It benefits everyone. This is one of the key issues.
Now, when it comes to skills training, we already have institutions that are working. Just now on the way here, the honorable minister also mentioned this fact to me, and I’m aware of this matter too. The centers for technical and vocational training provide an excellent platform. There are young people, even teenagers, who don’t prefer the path of a university education. Instead, they choose vocational and technical training. They work in this field. They’re the best workers. They’re the best ones who are able to serve the country and themselves. They can improve their own standard of living and also raise the standard of living for other people. We have this potential.
Of course, alongside the technical and vocational training centers, which are important and I’ve emphasized many times, large companies themselves can also establish units on the sidelines of their operations for enhancing skills. This is also possible. It's one of the things that needs to be done. Large companies can do this. They can conduct short-term courses and teach workers necessary skills so they can perform their work better and with greater expertise.
Another issue, which we’ve already mentioned, is worker safety, the physical safety of workers. Of course, we’ve heard distressing news about mining events in the past two or three years, but it’s not just there. I’ve received reports from other places as well. Workers’ safety is a very important issue in other factories as well. Care must be taken, and in terms of social security and technical standards, measures must be implemented to ensure the safety of workers.
One important aspect of supporting workers is the issue of using domestically produced goods, which I have been emphasizing and stressing for several years now. This was also included in the Sixth Development Plan. Of course, some didn’t follow through on this properly, but it’s been beneficial to the extent to which it was implemented. When we buy a product that has been produced domestically, we’re actually helping local workers and domestic investors. When that same product is available domestically, but we choose to purchase the foreign version instead, we are essentially supporting the worker and investor of that foreign country. We’re preferring them over our own workers. Is that fair? Is that humane?
Of course, there are excuses. For example, the quality of domestic products is this or that. But no, the quality of domestic products is actually very good in some cases. Nowadays, the quality of our products is, if not better than foreign ones, certainly not inferior in the case of certain household goods and other items. We should make this a cultural norm and a common practice. Iranians should consider it to be their duty to use Iranian products, except in cases where that product isn’t produced domestically. Everyone should see it as their duty to use domestically-made products. This needs to become a cultural norm.
I heard recently that one of the organizations announced that the ban on importing products that have a domestic equivalent has been lifted. Why should it be lifted? Promote what is produced domestically. If the quality isn’t good, then work on improving the quality. A few years ago, I spoke here about cars when people were saying that domestic cars consume too much fuel.
I said that if under an economic and scientific blockade where those who have certain knowledge in the world shut the doors to Iranian scientists and students, an Iranian scientist can still accomplish great things; if a young Iranian can produce missiles, weapons, and other technologies in a way that leaves even our enemies astonished to the point where they say, "I stand up in respect for this achievement," [this quote is in reference to Uzi Rubin commending Iran’s missile achievements in 2015] then they [Iranians] can also produce a car that consumes less fuel and performs better. This is what we need to work on and focus on. It’s easier to say, "Alright, let’s open the way to foreign imports." [But] this harms the country. It harms our labor force. It harms the entire nation. Therefore, one major way to support workers is to use domestic products and make this a cultural norm.
One of the important initiatives, which I believe requires comprehensive, thorough planning by our officials and is highly beneficial to workers — beneficial to both workers and employers — is giving workers a share of the profits generated by production. If workers feel that when a product makes more profit, they will benefit more, it will motivate them to improve the quality of their work. It will give workers an incentive to do their job better, more complete, and cleaner.
It will be like the hadith that I have repeated on numerous occasions, "May God have mercy on a person who does a task and does it well" — a well-done, good job. Today in the world, some factories that produce a certain product write the founding year of their factory on their product. They take pride in the fact that their factory was established 100 years ago. The ability to run a production unit — here we’re using industrial production as an example, but other types of production and even certain services are similar in this — in such a way that it has customers for 100 years and to take pride in that, that is truly the best kind of work. Such a thing can be achieved by allowing workers to have a share of the factory’s profits. This is an important initiative.
Another important point, which he [Ahmad Meydari, Iran's Minister of Cooperatives, Labor, and Social Welfare] referred to, is the subject of housing for workers. If large workshops and factories cooperate with workers’ housing cooperatives where such cooperatives exist, this is the greatest help for workers. And where such cooperatives don’t exist, they can be established or assistance can be provided to set them up. Alternatively, large factories can build company housing near their premises so that workers no longer need to worry about housing, which is one of their most significant concerns. This would give them peace of mind in that regard. This is one of the most important ways to help workers.
Another point I have noted here to share with you is the issue of the workplace culture. In the Marxist and communist philosophy, the workplace is seen as a place of conflict and hostility. In other words, the worker is supposed to be an enemy of the factory owner. That is their philosophy. Society moves forward through opposition and contradiction in their view. They believe that contradiction and conflict have governed social, political, and economic matters throughout history. For many years, they held people back with this flawed notion, making themselves miserable and causing misery for many people around the world. But Islam says the exact opposite of this.
Islam views the domains of life, work, and history as domains of harmony, companionship, and mutual understanding. For those who study and research the Quran, I recommend they explore the concept of zawjiyyah [creation of pairs] and the word zawj [pair] in the Quran. "Glory be to Him who created all things in pairs of what the earth grows, of their own selves, and of what they do not know" (Quran 36:36). This means that in everything in the universe, there is an element of companionship, empathy, cooperation, and synergy. The same applies to the workplace. There must be synergy. Both sides should sincerely help each other and not just in words.
One final point is that when we speak about workers, we mustn’t limit our focus to industrial workers alone. We must also consider construction workers, agricultural workers, workers in produce markets, and women who are working from home — many of whom, thanks to modern communication tools and the like, are now able to work from home and reap the benefit of their work. These [groups of workers] should also be given attention with regard to their social security and various other issues.
I would like to say something regarding the biased policies being employed in the world today against nations in efforts to cause people to forget the issues related to Palestine. Muslim nations must not allow this to happen. They mustn’t allow it! By using various rumors, with various talk, and by raising new, irrelevant, meaningless issues, they try to divert [people’s] minds from the Palestinian issue. [People’s] minds must not be diverted from Palestine. The crimes being committed by the Zionist regime in Gaza and in Palestine aren’t something to be overlooked. The entire world must stand up firmly against this. The world must stand up firmly against both the Zionist regime itself and also against the supporters of the Zionist regime. Yes! You have recognized them correctly. The US is supporting them [the Zionist regime] in the truest sense of the word. Now, in the world of politics, things are said, certain statements are made that may cause one to think they aren’t supporting the Zionists, but that isn’t the reality of the situation.
The fact is that the oppressed Palestinian nation and the oppressed people of Gaza aren’t just facing the Zionist regime today. They’re [also] facing the US, and they’re [also] facing England.
They [the US and England] are the ones who support that criminal in such a way — otherwise, it was their duty to stop this [the Zionist regime]. You [the US and England] provided them with weapons and gave them resources. Whenever they lack something, they turn to you, and you help them. You’re seeing their crimes now — all the murders, all the killings, all the crimes! They should stand against them [the Zionists]. It’s the duty of the US to put an end to these crimes. [But] not only does it fail to do this, it also supports them. Therefore, the world must truly stand against both the Zionist regime and its supporters, namely the United States. Certain slogans, talk, or temporary events must not distract attention from the issue of Palestine.
I believe that with God’s help and with His glory and splendor, Palestine will triumph over the Zionist occupiers. This will happen. Falsehood can only reign temporarily. It may be flashy for a few days, but it’s destined to perish. And it definitely will perish. There’s no doubt about it. The outward displays we are seeing, the actions they take, the advances they’re making in Syria and elsewhere aren’t signs of strength. Rather, they show weakness and will lead to even greater weakness, God willing. We are hopeful that the Iranian nation and all believing nations will witness with their own eyes the day when Palestine will triumph over the invaders and usurpers of Palestine, God willing.
May God’s greetings, mercy, and blessings be upon you.
