Today, Iran reverberated with the unified voices of discontent as protests erupted in various cities, encompassing a spectrum of grievances from pension rights to economic policies. Retirees from the telecommunications sector led demonstrations in Tabriz, Sanandaj, Ardebil, Rasht, Kermanshah, Arak, Marivan, Isfahan, and Ahvaz, demanding improved pensions and basic rights. These retirees, often facing financial strain in their twilight years, rallied under banners calling for dignified livelihoods and adherence to promised pension regulations.
In parallel, gold merchants in Isfahan and Tabriz extended their strike, protesting new tax laws that threatened to burden them with heavier taxes on their assets and sales. The continuation of this strike underscores the resilience of the business community in the face of adverse economic policies.
May 13—Fasa, southern #Iran
Nurses and assistant nurses rally in front of the office of the governorate building, protesting poor working conditions and demanding the regime to address their demands.#IranProtests pic.twitter.com/BI3Y4y41IX— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) May 13, 2024
In Fasa, south Iran, nurses and assistant nurses staged a rally in front of the governorate building, decrying poor working conditions and demanding immediate governmental intervention to address their grievances. Their demonstration highlights the crucial role of healthcare workers and the urgent need for better support and working conditions amid challenging circumstances.
Similarly, in Marivan, retirees of the Telecommunications Company of Iran raised their voices against the regime’s neglect of pension regulations, stressing the importance of honoring legal commitments to ensure retirees’ financial security and well-being.
The protests transcended regional boundaries, reaching the capital, Tehran, where store owners in Sadaf Shopping Center went on strike, protesting new tax regulations that threaten their livelihoods. The solidarity among diverse sectors underscores the breadth of discontentment with the Raisi government’s economic policies and its impact on ordinary Iranians.
Moreover, in Kermanshah, retirees of the Telecommunications Company of Iran gathered, demanding the full implementation of pension laws and fair treatment. Their insistence on legal rights reflects a broader sentiment of disillusionment with the government’s failure to address systemic issues.
In Arak, retired telecom employees staged a protest rally, urging the government to heed their demands for higher pensions and basic needs. Despite persistent advocacy, the regime’s indifference to their plight has fueled frustrations among retirees, prompting renewed calls for justice and accountability.
Amidst the protests, the automotive sector also witnessed dissent, as Peugeot Pars applicants gathered to denounce a 60% price hike, condemning government policies that exacerbate economic hardships for ordinary citizens.
These nationwide protests serve as a potent reminder of the deep-seated grievances simmering within Iranian society, challenging the government’s legitimacy and prompting calls for meaningful reform to address systemic injustices and economic hardships.
May 13—Isfahan, central #Iran
Strikes continue in the gold bazar in protest to the regime's new regulations that place heavy taxes on assets and sales.#IranProtests pic.twitter.com/dTtKvErBfd— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) May 13, 2024
