Despite promises of negotiations with retirees’ representatives, protesters in Tehran continued their rally, chanting, “We will not give in until we get our rights” and “Inflation, high prices, Rouhani must respond.”
The retirees are demanding pay that reflects current inflation and high prices. They also want to manage the retirement unions and centers by themselves and without the intervention of regime agents and plunderers.
The demonstrators also chanted slogans such as:
“When will the sufferings of the retired social security workers end?”
“Government must pay its debt to the social security organization.”
“It’s high time to give equal pay to retirees.”
“The state is responsible for the bankrupt Retiree’s Fund.”
“We can only achieve our rights by taking it to the street.”
In some cities, repressive forces tried to prevent rallies by threatening and intimidating the retirees. In Rasht, a female pensioner participating in the protest rally was arrested and taken away by the SSF forces. In Karaj, SSF surrounded the protesters and dispersed them. In Yazd, repressive forces forcibly dispersed the retirees, saying that the MEK organized the rally.
Secretariat of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI)
September 5, 2020
