Iranian police on Tuesday used tear gas to disperse a crowd of protesting workers in central Tehran after they tried to storm the labor ministry, witnesses told AFP.
Hundreds of workers, protesting against low wages, pushed their way through the ministry's entrance in the center of the capital city, witnesses said.
Police managed to force them back out and disperse the workers by using tear gas. No injuries were reported.
Moreover, the people were protesting against a bill currently under debate in parliament to change the labor laws. Protests by workers have multiplied in recent months amidst a worsening economic crisis and rising unemployment.
Meanwhile, Iran's Economy Minister Tahmasb Mazaheri recently expressed concern over forecasts for the country's unemployment figures. According to the latest official studies, Iran will count about five million jobless by the year 2005, 16.6 percent more than in 2002. (Albawaba.com)
© 2002 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
