Workers Protest Blockade Of Iran Assets In S.Korea

Tehran, Oct 22, IRNA -- Around 1,500 workers and staffers from Iran's Entekhab manufacturing group staged a protest in front of South Korean Embassy in Tehran Sunday over blockade of Iranian assets in Seoul. Wearing their company's uniforms depicted the brand as well and carrying placards and posters of late Imam Khomeini and Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei, they gathered at the Embassy in Sheikh Bahaei street chanting slogans against Sumsung and the National South Korean Bank demanding the South Korean government unfreeze the assets amount to dlrs 70 million. The demonstration was monitored by the diplomatic police. They ended their three hours protest after South Korean Ambassador promised them to follow up their demand. In November 2010, Entekhab Industrial Group signed a contract sealing its acquisition of South Korea's Daewoo Electronics for $518 million (397 million euros). Daewoo Electronics, a former subsidiary of the now-defunct Daewoo Group, has been under a debt rescheduling program since 1999 when its parent company collapsed. Entekhab's deal for the acquisition of the Daewoo Electronics came abortive in September 2010 because of sanctions the Seoul government heeded under pressure from Washington. The workers announced that they will come back again if their demand is not met, since the company's 4,000 workers are affected by the cancellation of the deal. Entekhab is located in the central province of Isfahan and produces appliances such as refrigerators, washing machines and television sets under the brand names Snowa and Haier./end