On March 17 and 18, the people of Iran staged at least 11 rallies and protests in different cities over officials’ failure to meet their inherent demands. On March 18, retirees, pensioners, and welfare recipients once again rallied in six provinces, blaming officials for failing to adjust their pensions with the inflation rate.
Furthermore, farmers, livestock farmers, water staff, and railroad workers staged five protests in different cities. In Varamin, Tehran province, railroad workers refused to attend the station and launched a strike, venting their anger over the government-backed employers’ failure to pay their salaries.
Rally of Farmers
Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province—on March 17, a group of Preserving Water Committee members and farmers’ representatives held a rally in front of the Provincial Governorate in Shahrekord, the province’s capital. They protested the water mafia.
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Chaharmahal & Bakhtiari—farmers’ representatives rallied in front of the Provincial Governorate, protesting the mafia of water. pic.twitter.com/OFHWi0SiLs— Iran News Update (@IranNewsUpdate1) March 18, 2021
“Kuhrang is an inseparable area of Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province, not Isfahan,” protesters had written on a banner, venting their anger over the officials’ decision to separate this area.
Rally of Livestock Farmers
Razavi Khorasan province—on March 17, a group of livestock farmers in Bajestan Izadi plain held a gathering in front of the local Governorate.
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Razavi Khorasan—livestock farmers in Bajestan Izadi plain gathered in front of the local Governorate, protesting officials' failure to transfer water. pic.twitter.com/M0Js45NCGz— Iran News Update (@IranNewsUpdate1) March 18, 2021
They protested officials for failing to keep their promises about transferring water. Due to officials’ imprudence, many livestock farmers have faced disadvantages and lost their capital.
Rally of Farmers for Water Rights
Isfahan province—on March 17, farmers from Varzaneh district, in west of the province, held a rally at the Imamzadeh Taljerd tomb. They protested state-backed institutions for depriving them of water rights.
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Isfahan—farmers from Varzaneh district rallied at the Imamzadeh Taljerd tomb, protesting state-backed institutions for depriving them of water rights.
"We will obtain our water rights, even if we die," protesters chanted. pic.twitter.com/zG8GLPnVrR— Iran News Update (@IranNewsUpdate1) March 18, 2021
Farmers’ representative Kazem Mohammadi expressed his partners’ disappointment over the government’s plundering and profiteering decisions. “We will obtain the water right, even if we die,” chanted protesters.
Rally of Retirees in Six Provinces
On March 18, retirees, pensioners, and welfare recipients affiliated with the Social Security Organization staged gatherings in the provinces of Ardabil, Tehran, and Markazi.
In Ardabil, protesters gathered in front of the organization’s representation, protesting officials’ failure to meet their demands after a long time.
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Ardabil—retirees affiliated with the Social Security Organization gathered in front of the organization’s representation, protesting officials’ failure to meet their demands after a long time. pic.twitter.com/mXPEyuLxOU— Iran News Update (@IranNewsUpdate1) March 18, 2021
In Tehran, retirees and pensioners rallied in front of the organization’s main office, blaming officials for failing to follow up their demands. Protesters also vented their anger over officials’ failure to keep their promises.
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Tehran—retirees and pensioners rallied in front of the Social Security Organization’s main office, blaming officials for failing to follow up their demands and keep their promises. pic.twitter.com/rSuPuGQy8h— Iran News Update (@IranNewsUpdate1) March 18, 2021
In Markazi, welfare recipients staged a gathering in front of the organization’s local representation in Arak, the province’s capital. They protested officials’ failure to meet their demands and return their money.
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Markazi—welfare recipients gathered in front of the Social Security Organization’s representation, protesting officials’ failure to adjust their pensions with the inflation rate.
"Death to deceitful government," retirees chanted. pic.twitter.com/mscVC5altQ— Iran News Update (@IranNewsUpdate1) March 18, 2021
In Kerman, pensioners and welfare recipients rallied in front of the organization’s representation, protesting officials’ failure to meet their demands.
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Kerman—pensioners and welfare recipients rallied in front of the Social Security Organization’s representation, protesting officials’ failure to meet their demands. pic.twitter.com/u7KF7QW7en— Iran News Update (@IranNewsUpdate1) March 18, 2021
In Lorestan, retirees and pensioners rallied in front of the organization’s representation in Khorramabad, the province’s capital. They protested officials for failing to adjust their salaries with the inflation rate and back-breaking expenditures.
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Lorestan—retirees and pensioners rallied in front of the Social Security Organization’s representation in Khorramabad, protesting officials' failure to adjust their salaries with the inflation rate. pic.twitter.com/cmYPk5Se57— Iran News Update (@IranNewsUpdate1) March 18, 2021
In Khuzestan, retirees, pensioners, and welfare recipients gathered in front of the Social Security Organization’s local office, protesting officials’ failure to pay their rights based on rampant inflation and high prices.
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Khuzestan—retirees, pensioners, and welfare recipients gathered in front of the Social Security Organization’s local office, protesting officials’ failure to pay their rights based on rampant inflation and high prices. pic.twitter.com/09cb8VZKkV— Iran News Update (@IranNewsUpdate1) March 18, 2021
Strike of Railroad Workers
Tehran province—on March 18, railroad workers of Varamin station did not go to work, launching a strike to protest officials’ failure to pay their salaries.
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Tehran—railroad workers of Varamin station did not participate in the workplace, launching a strike to protest officials’ failure to pay their salaries.
*file photo pic.twitter.com/75vskoEe3P— Iran News Update (@IranNewsUpdate1) March 18, 2021
A day in advance, protesters had announced that they would never allow any train to pass from their station if officials did not settle their overdue salaries. “Night workers won’t participate in the station alike. Those who participate will not close the rails. Other staff would not work until the officials deposit our salaries,” protesters announced.
Rally of Water Staff, Day 4
Khuzestan province—for the fourth day in a row, a group of Ahvaz’s Water and Sewage Organization staff held a rally in front of the Provincial governorate at Palestine Street. They protested officials for interrogating local water companies and failing to pay salaries, privileges, Nowruz bonus, and insurance rights.
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Khuzestan—Water and Sewage Organization staff rallied in front of the Provincial governorate in Ahvaz for the 4th consecutive day. They protested officials for interrogating local water companies and failing to pay salaries, privileges, Nowruz bonus, and insurance. pic.twitter.com/8M6WyH6VLT— Iran News Update (@IranNewsUpdate1) March 18, 2021
Workers have yet to receive their salaries for two months, job experience rights for two years, and Nowruz bonus and coupons. “Officials everyday promise to pay our overdue salaries and payments. However, on the last working day—according to the Persian Calendar, they have yet to pay our rights,” workers said.
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