The Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Khamenei received thousands of Iranian workers from across the country on Wednesday, April 26.
Speaking at the meeting, which was held on the occasion of the Labor Week, the Leader felicitated the audience on the propitious occasion and expressed hope that the problems related to the livelihood and social security of workers and certain other issues besetting workers will be resolved through the prudence and earnest efforts of the government in a reasonable span of time.
Ayatollah Khamenei also described as 'laudable and influential' the role that has been played by the Iranian workers in society at various stages over the past 27 years.
Referring to the government's plans to solve the problems facing workers, the Leader stated, "These plans should be effectively translated from words into action, so that the issues such as job security and the problems resulting from temporary contracts and the joblessness due to the incompetence or mismanagement of certain factory directors may be resolved one after another."
Further in his statements, Ayatollah Khamenei noted that from an Islamic standpoint, the relationship between workers and employers is the relationship between two colleagues and partners. He criticized capitalism for its exploitative attitude toward workers and censured communism for viewing workers as mere instruments.
"From the viewpoint of Islam, relations between workers and employers should be combined with honesty, kindness and gratitude, and the rights and dignity of each side, which plays an important role in the country's progress, should be protected. Formulating workers-employers relations based on these criteria is up to the Islamic Consultative Assembly and the government," he remarked.
Expounding on the high status of labor in Islam, Ayatollah Khamenei further stated, "Considering that labor is a means of earning a livelihood, it is considered to be an act of worship in Islam. However, the more important point is that Islam views labor as a pious deed that is worthy of reward and remuneration."
Elsewhere in his remarks, the Leader of the Islamic Republic hinted at the great strides taken by the Iranian people and revealing their remarkable self-confidence.
"Ever since the victory of the Islamic Revolution, the great Iranian nation has displayed and proved its capability and competence in various arenas of progress and honor, and the enemy is enraged and confused by this same reality," the Leader pointed out.
Referring to the continuity of threats on the part of the United States over the past 27 years, Ayatollah Khamenei noted that the language of U.S. politicians is the language of threats and intimidation. But he stressed that the vigilant and determined Iranian nation and officials of the Iranian government, who are relying on public support, will not be daunted by such threats.
The Leader stated that the Iranian nation and the Islamic Republic are a peaceful nation and government that will never engage in military aggression against other nations.
"However, U.S. politicians should bear in mind that if they launch an offensive against the Islamic Republic, U.S. interests will be harmed across the world, and the Iranian nation will respond to any blow with a blow twice as strong," the Leader warned.
Further in his statements, Ayatollah Khamenei told the gathering that efforts to build the country and accelerate its progress constitute the best and most effective kind of struggle against the enemies. He also touched on the fact that the enemies are no longer pinning hopes on a military confrontation with the Iranian nation, and that they are presently hatching plots to foment discord and division among the Iranian people.
"Whoever works in any place across the vast front of this country should perform his tasks and duties with increased awareness and discipline and with more serious efforts and greater spiritual motivation, so that the enemies may be foiled in their plots and machinations, as they have been in the past," Ayatollah Khamenei remarked.
Before the Leader's statements, the Minister of Labor and Social Affairs Sayyid Mohammad Jahromi presented a report about the government's measures to raise the living standards of workers and improve the country's economic condition.
He said that some of the objectives that are being pursued by his ministry are improving productivity by increasing the competence of workforce, achieving social security and raising wages, creating an appropriate atmosphere for the promotion of investment, fair distribution of bank loans among small businesses and formulating fair and sustainable relations between workers and employers.