According to information received by the Karun Human Rights Organization, Ahmad Al-Khamis, a 45-year-old worker employed for over two decades in the Ahwaz Municipal Terminals Organization and a resident of Kut-Abdollah, died by suicide on Wednesday, 28 Aban 1404 (November 19, 2025) following his sudden dismissal by the organization’s managing director, Koresh Sabzali.
Al-Khamis, who was married and the father of one daughter, had previously spent approximately ten months in prison due to his inability to pay the dowry following a separation from his wife. After his release, he repeatedly returned to the entrance of the Terminals Organization each day—often sleeping outside the building at night—in the hope of being reinstated. Despite his persistence, he received no response or support from the authorities and remained in complete uncertainty.
Available information indicates that severe economic hardship, the absence of any institutional support, prolonged psychological stress, and accumulated financial and social pressures ultimately led to his suicide.
Pattern of Worker Suicides in the Region
This case reflects a broader and alarming pattern in the oil-rich region of Ahwaz, where a significant number of dismissed or economically distressed workers have attempted or completed suicide in recent years. Among the documented cases are:
- Ahmad Baledi – 11 Aban 1404 (November 2, 2025), self-immolation following the demolition of his family kiosk
- Raad Silawi – Mehr 1404 (September/October 2025), dismissed worker from Gheyzaniyeh Oil Company
- Kamal Baledi – Aban 1404 (October/November 2025), dismissed worker from Ahwaz Steel, died by hanging in Ghamij
- Mohammad Ghrawi – Shahrivar 1404 (August/September 2025), dismissed worker from Fallahiyyeh Governor’s Office, self-immolation
- Reza Sawari – Ordibehesht 1404 (April/May 2025), Ahwaz
- Abbas Farisat – Ordibehesht 1404 (April/May 2025), Khafajiyeh/Susangerd
- Farzad Jalali – Ordibehesht 1404 (April/May 2025), Khafajiyeh/Susangerd
- Omid Sabri-pour – 1402 (2023), dismissed worker from Ahwaz Pipe Manufacturing
- Younes Khosraji – 1399 (2020), dismissed worker from Haft-Tapeh Sugarcane Company, self-immolation
- Mohammad Babouei – 1400 (2021), municipal worker in Bandar-Imam, self-immolation
In 1404 (2025) alone, at least eight cases of suicide or self-immolation by workers due to dismissal or economic distress have been publicly reported, while numerous other incidents remain unreported and occur in complete silence.
Structural Causes and Systemic Discrimination
These repeated tragedies underscore the deep socioeconomic crisis affecting workers in marginalized regions, particularly among the Arab population of Ahwaz, where imposed unemployment, discriminatory hiring practices, and the absence of social safety nets have rendered living conditions unbearable for many.
