00:05Inside this automotive turning and machining workshop, production continues despite growing
00:12pressure. US sanctions have boosted demand for locally made components that were once heavily
00:21imported, but producers say access to raw materials and spare parts remains a major challenge.
00:30When our machines break down, we import spare parts from China as these parts are not available
00:34in Iran at all. This is especially true for mechanical and electronic components. Without
00:38importing these parts from China, our machines have to remain idle, which directly affects production.
00:43On top of supply challenges, infrastructure problems are adding further strain. Frequent
00:50electricity outages regularly disrupt production and push-up costs.
00:58One of our most serious problems is the frequent power outages. When electricity is cut, we
01:03have no choice but to shut down the workshop and send workers home. These outages are very
01:08costly for us. Sometimes the power is cut twice a day, forcing us to work on weekends to compensate
01:14for lost production time.
01:15Labor shortages have also emerged as a growing concern, as fewer people are willing to take
01:23on industrial jobs.
01:27Our main concerns are raw materials and labor. Finding workers has become extremely difficult.
01:32When we post job advertisements, out of 100 applicants, perhaps only one is willing to work, as most people
01:38prefer app-based taxi services. While business owners struggle to keep production going, economic
01:45pressures hit employees hardest, especially as the currency weakens and living costs rise.
01:53Honestly speaking, due to fluctuations in the exchange rate and the rising dollar, my debts
01:59and loan installments have been overdue for several months. Under these conditions, it has become
02:05very difficult for us to maintain a normal standard of living.
02:09Workshop owners often find ways to cope, securing at least the basics for themselves. But for workers,
02:18instability can mean falling behind and struggling to make ends meet. As Iran adapts to sanctions
02:25through domestic production, businesses carry on. Yet it is the most vulnerable who continue
02:33to bear the heaviest burden.
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