Iranian Refinery Lays Off Almost All Workers

Iran's Setareh Sabz-e-Siraf Refinery, owned by Parsian Holding, has laid off nearly all its workers, according to a report by Ensaf News. 

The decision, reportedly made during a recent Parsian Holding board meeting, leaves only a handful of managers employed at the oil refinery in Siraf.

Disgruntled workers revealed mismanagement by Parsian Holding after the layoff. 

They pointed to the company's failure to replace its CEO, who resigned nine months ago, and the lack of appointments to fill vacant board member positions.

Adding to the workers' concerns, Parsian Holding's main shareholder is Ghadir Investment Company.

Ghadir itself is largely funded by social security funds for Iran's armed forces and retirees.

The Setareh Sabz Siraf Refinery Complex, launched in 2015, was intended to have a production capacity of 120,000 barrels. 

However, workers said construction progress reached only 5 percent by 2022.