November 4 – Chavar, Ilam Province, Iran — Ali Fathollahi, Vice Chairman of the Chavar City Council in Ilam Province, has shed light on the profound socioeconomic and infrastructural challenges affecting this industrial town. High unemployment rates, economic hardship, and severe lack of medical and basic services are pushing many residents, particularly workers, into despair. Fathollahi noted the alarming rise in suicides, driven by ongoing livelihood struggles; six suicides were reported among workers from a single factory.
In a recent report titled “People’s Suicide in the Most Industrialized City of Ilam Due to Unemployment,” ILNA news agency highlighted not only economic woes but also significant issues with access to clean drinking water. The plight of Chavar, despite its proximity to a petrochemical complex, stands in stark contrast to its industrial potential.
High Poverty and Unemployment Despite Industrial Activity
In his conversation with ILNA, Fathollahi expressed frustration that Chavar, despite being an industrial hub, grapples with the highest poverty and unemployment rates in the region. The city lacks even basic recreational facilities, underscoring the community’s neglect. According to Fathollahi, desperation among local workers has led to numerous suicide cases, including six attempts within a single factory. He shared that in the Arghavan Gostar project, three workers attempted suicide this year alone, all due to severe economic and livelihood difficulties.
Past reports indicate that self-immolation and suicide attempts among unemployed workers at Chavar Petrochemical have become distressingly common. On September 22, a group of Arghvan Gostar petrochemical workers held a protest in front of Chavar’s justice building, demanding the release of detained colleagues. The demonstration turned tragic when two individuals attempted self-immolation; one of them was the father of a detained worker. In July, three additional suicides were reported in the region, two of them workers recently laid off by the same petrochemical contractor.
Fathollahi recounted how recently terminated workers held a protest at the petrochemical plant, demanding fair treatment, only for eight of them to be arrested on orders from Chavar’s prosecutor. Experts believe that the rising inequality, pervasive poverty, and political repression have severely impacted Iran’s social stability and public mental health.
Persistent Worker Protests and State Repression
Workers in Chavar have protested repeatedly against low wages, unpaid salaries, and arbitrary dismissals. However, authorities have consistently failed to address their grievances. Instead, government responses have frequently included the detention of labor activists, exacerbating the frustrations of a workforce already under significant strain.
Water Crisis Worsens Health Risks for Chavar Residents
In addition to economic hardship, Chavar faces a severe water crisis that further imperils residents’ health. Due to poor water quality, many locals are forced to rely on spring water from nearby areas or travel to Ivan, a neighboring town 10 minutes away, to collect safe drinking water. According to Fathollahi, this creates an additional burden for impoverished residents without access to transportation, leaving them reliant on polluted water that often causes gastrointestinal illnesses.
Fathollahi mentioned that although repeated public protests have raised awareness of this issue, a sustainable solution remains elusive. While environmental authorities have imposed fines on Chavar Petrochemical in response to water contamination complaints, these measures have not improved conditions. The problem worsens in winter, when rainfall sweeps petrochemical pollutants into local water sources, giving rise to an unbearable odor.
National Context: High Unemployment Amid Growing Economic Strains
The Iranian Statistical Center’s recent census data reveals an unemployment rate of 8.1% in 2023, highlighting systemic joblessness nationwide. Out of approximately 64.5 million working-age individuals in the country, only 26.6 million are employed. For communities like Chavar, however, these figures translate into far graver consequences, where unemployment compounds poverty and a lack of basic infrastructure, intensifying the despair that too often ends in tragedy.