Home News Protests Iranians Continue Protests; at Least 41 Rallies and Strikes from March 3...

Iranians Continue Protests; at Least 41 Rallies and Strikes from March 3 to 7

By
Mahmoud Hamidi
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From March 3 to 7, the people of Iran held at least 41 rallies and protests in different cities over officials’ failure to meet their demands.

From March 3 to 7, the people of Iran held at least 41 rallies and protests in different cities over officials’ failure to meet their inherent demands. On March 7, retirees and pension recipients of the Social Security Organization once again staged countrywide protests in 28 cities.

Furthermore, workers, shopkeepers, steel retirees, drivers, farmers, security staff, residents, water and sewage staff, and bakers held 13 rallies in various provinces.

Countrywide Protests of Retirees—Iranians continue protests from March 3 to 7
Countrywide Protests of Retirees—Iranians continue protests from March 3 to 7

Countrywide Protests of Retirees

On March 7, for the seventh week, retirees, pensioners, and welfare recipients affiliated with the Social Security Organization rallied in 28 cities across Iran’s 21 provinces. They protested officials’ indifference about their living conditions, high prices, rampant inflation, and lack of response to their demands.

In addition to Tehran, retirees in Tabriz, Isfahan, Yazd, Qazvin, Karaj, Khorramabad, Ahvaz, Rasht, Urmia, Shiraz, Kermanshah, Ardabil, Ilam, Sari, Arak, Mashhad, Sanandaj, Kerman, Bojnurd, Abadan, Shahroud, Shush, Behshahr, Neyshabur, Shooshtar, Dezful, and Hafttapeh held protest gatherings and rallies in front of the Social Security Organization or governors’ offices.

“In Tehran, from early morning the repressive State Security Force (SSF) was deployed in the streets leading to the Social Security Organization to prevent the retiree’s gathering. At the same time, it closed the nearby metro station and prevented people from joining the protesters,” stated the Iranian opposition coalition National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI).

“The repressive forces also seized some of the demonstrators’ leaflets and banners and confiscated several mobile phones, which was met with resistance by the retirees. The SSF attacked and beat up and arrested some of the protesters,” the statement added.

“The result of the government’s work is plundering the people’s wealth” and “Housing and livelihoods are our inalienable rights,” pensioners chanted, according to the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK)

According to a 2020 census, the pensioners’ population in Iran is around 18 million people. These are part of Iran’s impoverished masses, who account for 96 percent of the population and live under the poverty line.

Official statistics declare that more than 75 percent of pensioners are struggling to procure their needs. Pensioners receive on average 25 million rials [$100] per month while the poverty line in some parts of Iran has reached 100 million rials [$400] in the past year.

Rally of Tile Workers—Iranians continue protests from March 3 to 7

Rally of Tile Workers

Markazi province—on March 3, workers of the Farda Ceramic factory in the city of Saveh held a rally at the facility. They protested the government’s inaction to resolve their dilemmas.

In Iran, many citizens, particularly working families, suffer from numerous economic dilemmas. Instead, the government does not care about their hardship, and it has left them without support.

Strike of Railroad Workers—Iranians continue protests from March 3 to 7

Strike of Railroad Workers

Tehran province—on March 4, railroad workers of Varamin station, in the southeast of Tehran, stopped working and launched a strike. They protested the state-backed railroad company for failing to pay their paychecks, arrears, and other wage privileges for four months.

In recent weeks, railroad workers in different provinces staged several rallies and strikes, protesting officials’ failure to settle their arrears in the leadup to Nowruz, the New Year in the Persian calendar.

Rally of Poultry Dealers—Iranians continue protests from March 3 to 7

Rally of Poultry Dealers

Eastern Azarbaijan province—on March 6, a group of poultry dealers in Tabriz, the province’s capital, held a gathering in front of the Provincial Governorate. They protested officials’ inaction to adjust prices.

“We are close to Nowruz, but our food baskets are empty,” protesters had written on a banner. They also expressed their disappointment about officials’ hollow promises. “Officials, where are the quota chickens?” read another banner.

Rally of Steel Retirees—Iranians continue protests from March 3 to 7

Rally of Steel Retirees

Tehran province—on March 6, retirees of the Foulad [Steel] Industry staged a rally in front of the Parliament [Majlis]. They protested officials’ failure to follow up retirees’ demands.

“The share of retirees is daily rallies for minimum human rights while they had spent their lives to serve the country,” said protesters.

Rally of Oil-Tanker Drivers—Iranians continue protests from March 3 to 7

Rally of Oil-Tanker Drivers

West Azarbaijan—on March 6, drivers of fuel tankers at the Tamarchin border crossing in Piranshahr city held a rally in front of the local Governorate.

“For more than two months, we do not have permission to enter Kurdistan region in Iraq. In fact, our vehicles have become depots for fuel,” drivers said.

Rally of Farmers—Iranians continue protests from March 3 to 7

Rally of Farmers

Isfahan province—on March 6, farmers from eastern Isfahan city protested the systematic theft of their water rights. In a protest action, they forced an excavator to fill a hole, which had been dug in front of the Chamran hospital for using sewage.

Farmers pushed back the state-backed plan for exploiting their water rights despite the heavy presence of the State Security Forces (SSF).

Rally of Petrochemical Workers—Iranians continue protests from March 3 to 7

Rally of Petrochemical Workers

Ilam province—on March 6, for the eighth time, residents of Chovar county and petrochemical workers staged a gathering in front of the petrochemical facility.

They protested the government-backed plan for dismissing several local workers with job experiences. They also blamed employers for inappropriate working and living conditions. Protesters shut the main gate and banned official forces and their family members from entering the facility.

Rally of Qadir Stadium’s Security Staff—Iranians continue protests from March 3 to 7

Rally of Qadir Stadium’s Security Staff

Khuzestan province—on March 6, a group of the security staff of the Qadir Stadium in Ahvaz, the province’s capital, once again held a rally at the bureau of the Provincial Director-General of Sports and Youths.

Workers spread an empty Sofreh [Iranians’ traditional tablecloth] during their rally as a sign of their dire economic condition and unbridled poverty they face. They demanded officials pay their 24-month arrears as soon as possible.

Rally of Daryakenar Residents—Iranians continue protests from March 3 to 7

Rally of Daryakenar Residents

Mazandaran province—on March 6, residents of Daryakenar town in the city of Babolsar held a rally, preventing state-backed profiteering individuals from cutting long-standing trees. They protested officials for bribery and issuing licenses to cut the trees.

The residents’ rally stopped profiteering individuals who exploit the night to cut the trees. Ironically, this action was performed a day after the national Arbor day in Iran and publicity stunt by Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei who planted two fruit trees, which prompted people’s anger.

Rally of Water and Sewage Staff—Iranians continue protests from March 3 to 7

Rally of Water and Sewage Staff

Kohgiluyeh and Boyer Ahmad province—on March 7, a group of Water and Sewage Organization staff in Yasuj, the province’s capital, held a rally in front of the Provincial Governorate.

In their rally, water and sewage staff protested officials’ failure to pay their overdue salaries for months. Previously, water staff in several provinces had rallied, protesting officials’ indifference toward their dilemmas.

Strike of Farmers—Iranians continue protests from March 3 to 7

Strike of Farmers

Hormozgan province—on March 7, onion farmers in the Hashtbandi district staged a gathering and a strike, protesting the low-price of their production.

“Today, March 7, farmers in Hashtbandi region have launched a strike due to the low-price of onion. Almost all farmers have been bankrupted. They do not have any supporters. All equipment, fertilizer, poison, and everything have skyrocketing prices except agricultural productions. Such conditions have fed up farmers. There is no one accountable,” a protester said.

Rally of Bakers—Iranians continue protests from March 3 to 7

Rally of Bakers

Qazvin province—on March 7, a group of bakers held a rally, protesting officials’ failure to meet their demands.

“Officials, resolve bakers’ dilemmas, please,” protesters had written on a banner.

Rally of Takht-e Jamshid Petrochemical Workers—Iranians continue protests from March 3 to 7

Rally of Takht-e Jamshid Petrochemical Workers

Khuzestan province—on March 7, workers of Takht-e Jamshid Petrochemical Complex in the city of Mahshahr staged a gathering at this facility. They protested employers’ refusal to obey labor law and instructions for Special Zones.

“Managers have even deprived us of asking health measures. The Labor Office does not pay attention to our dilemmas,” protesters said.

Iranians Continue Protests; at Least Seven Rallies and Strikes on March 2 and 3

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