They demanded their pensions rose to compete with the daily rising costs for basic necessities. Many of the protesting pensioners had not been paid what little they were receiving in the way of their retirement. The state-run factory owes the old workers months in back pay.
In past years, similar moves by the most vulnerable parts of working class in Iran have always been suppressed by the mullahs' State Security Forces (SSF) –mullahs' suppressive police. This time was no exception and soon the SSF agents cordoned the protesters.
Isfahan's Steel Mill Factory is the oldest steel factory in Iran. It was founded in the early 1960s as the country's first steel factory.
The factory is located 40 kilometers southwest on Isfahan-Shahrekord highway. Many of the retired employees of the company live in Fooladshahr on the same road.