Thousands lose stone-cutting jobs in Fars

 The closure of 410 stone-cutting factories in Fars Province has resulted in more than 4,500 workers being laid off

The closures were caused by a combination of disputes with Tax Revenue Offices, rising energy prices and budget shortfalls, according to the Tasnim News Agency.

Stone-cutting factories had closed their plants in the past year and filed complaints regarding the calculation of the value added tax, but later reports indicated those disputes were resolved.

It appears, however, that the government has reverted to the earlier system of taxation, triggering new disputes with the stone-cutting factories.

Seventy factories were closed in Shiraz, throwing 500 people out of work. One hundred and fifty were closed in Safa Shahr, resulting in another 1,500 job losses.

In Neyriz, another 250 units were closed and 2,500 workers are now 

ZAMANEH