Today, Tuesday, April 23, retired educators and social security beneficiaries gathered once again in front of the governorate in Ahvaz, Khuzestan province, continuing their series of protests against the Iranian government’s neglect of their demands. Recent months have witnessed numerous similar demonstrations by retirees in various cities across Iran. The protesters are demanding attention to the implementation and amendment of pension policies, addressing the dire economic conditions, inadequate healthcare coverage, lack of salary increases, and the government’s failure to meet their demands.
Retirees in Iran are among the most economically vulnerable segments of society. Their primary demand is for a continuous increase in pensions to keep up with inflation and be proportionate to the rising salaries of active workers. Over the past year, retirees in Iran have regularly taken to the streets to voice their grievances, yet the government has failed to offer any viable solutions.
April 23—Tehran, #Iran
Retired teachers rally in front of the Education Ministry to protest low pensions and lack of access to other basic needs.#IranProtestspic.twitter.com/bveekgOD9h— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) April 23, 2024
In a separate development, workers from Pars Paper in Shush continued their protest against the dismissal of 100 of their colleagues and the precariousness of their employment status. The protest, which began on the first of April following the shutdown of certain production lines at the Pars Paper factory, has been ongoing in front of the industrial unit and the governorate.
According to the ILNA news agency, the protesting workers are individuals with extensive work experience under both temporary and permanent contracts at the factory. However, following the announcement of the dismissal of 100 workers by the employer, the fate of the unemployed workers remains uncertain.
Aside from the issue of dismissed workers, other employees are concerned about potential job losses due to the halt in certain production lines and are demanding two months’ worth of unpaid wages and benefits from the employer.
April 23—Bandar Abbas, southern #Iran
Locals hold protest rally after security forces deliberately shoot and kill a 23-year-old youth.#IranProtests pic.twitter.com/2npClKinas— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) April 23, 2024
In related protests, seasonal workers from sugar cane farms and the “Miyan Ab” industry in Khuzestan province gathered on Tuesday morning to express their dissatisfaction with what they described as “uncertainty in their employment status.” They congregated in front of the governorate in Shush.
These workers also protested the non-payment of their two months’ worth of wages and benefits and called for the conversion of their seasonal jobs to permanent positions, as well as the settlement of their overdue salaries.
Moreover, in Tehran, retirees staged a protest in front of the Ministry of Education to demand attention to their unmet demands and low pensions.
In Yazd, retirees from various sectors rallied in front of the governorate to voice their grievances.
Meanwhile, in Bandar Abbas, residents held a protest rally following the fatal shooting of a 23-year-old youth by security forces.
In Minab, security forces conducted raids on homes and fired on civilians, prompting outrage and further protests in the area.
April 23—Yazd, central #Iran
Retired employees of the education sector rally to protest low pensions and the government's refusal to address their basic needs.#IranProtests pic.twitter.com/6rvzbvtSs3— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) April 23, 2024
Labor protests have been on the rise in various parts of Iran in recent years, triggered by issues such as low wages, unpaid wages and benefits, layoffs, and privatization.