Iran’s judiciary chief Ayatollah Sadeq Larijani on November 26 issued a warning to restive workers against striking and protesting.

Across Iran several hundred factory employees have been striking over a lack of pay for several months, according to AFP. Workers at several industrial plants, including recently privatised firms that are now bankrupt, have protested, shouting slogans against the leaders of the Islamic Republic.

Haft Tapeh Sugar Refinery in the city of Susa, southwestern Iran, has gained something of a heroic status. On November 19, workers from the plant marched toward Ghanoun Boulevard in Susa demanding the state pay their wage arrears. The workers gathered by the main judiciary building in the city. Protesters were recorded demanding the release of colleagues detained by security forces, chanting “Our imprisoned workers must be freed,” and “Death to the anti-worker regime.”

Larijani, one of the trio of brothers who head Iran’s judiciary, parliament and human rights council, respectively, cautioned citizens against creating “disorder,” although he followed up with remarks in which he urged the Rouhani administration to deal with the issues causing disquiet.

“The demands of the dear workers must be met in a rational atmosphere… with the involvement of the government and the judiciary branch,” he said. “[But the] demands will never be met by turmoil, crisis and actions contrary to public order”, he added.

“Workers should not allow their demands to become an excuse and an instrument for the enemy and the creation of disorder in the country,” Larijani said.

Iran has sunk into recession and is under severe economic pressure as the US attempts to use its reimposed heavy sanctions regime to force Tehran into concessions on its Middle East policy.