Home News Protests Iranians Continue Protests; at Least Four Rallies and Strikes on February 8

Iranians Continue Protests; at Least Four Rallies and Strikes on February 8

On February 8, Iranian citizens held at least four rallies in various cities, venting their anger at the regime's oppressive decisions.

On Monday, February 8, Iranian citizens held at least four rallies, protesting officials’ plundering and profiteering policies, which have led many citizens to poverty and misery.

Farmers in Mourchehkhort district, in Isfahan province, did their best to prevent oppressive forces from destroying their well and pipeline. However, the Water Organization agents destroyed them. Also, in the provinces of Khuzestan and Qazvin, citizens protested unemployment and the regime’s oppressive decisions.

Rally and Protest of Farmers—Iranians continue protests on February 8
Rally and Protest of Farmers—Iranians continue protests on February 8

Rally and Protest of Farmers

Isfahan province—following the raid by Water Organization agents and State Security Forces (SSF) on farmers’ only well, residents of Mourchehkhort district held a rally to protect their well. Oppressive forces’ insult and brutality prompted locals’ anger.

Security forces mercilessly destroyed the well, pipeline, and other equipment, which would lead to the drying up of thousands of trees. For many years, these farmers had planted and preserved these trees to make ends meet. However, the Water Organization agents did not care about people’s cries and appeals.

Farmers laid down on the pipeline’s path to prevent oppressive forces from destroying the well and its equipment. However, the SSF continued its destruction despite the farmers’ efforts.

Rally of Petrochemical Workers—Iranians continue protests on February 8

Rally of Petrochemical Workers

Khuzestan province—personnel and workers of Mahshahr city’s petrochemical plant continued their rally for the second consecutive day.

They protested officials’ failure to implement the plan for classifying the careers and flagrant discrimination against workers.

“We came here to gain our rights. We want the classification of careers alone,” said a worker.

“Yesterday, an official said, ‘This plan is implemented for seven years.’ This is while we have yet to hear or see anything about this plan so far,” said another protester.

“In the Parliament (Majlis), they say we have passed the plan. But they only add salt to our injuries. All of them have agreed not to give our rights,” said a worker.

“Unfortunately, our wages are low, and we have to tolerate additional pressure in comparison to other employees,” a worker explained.

“We must work as security guards for 12-hour shifts. They have merged several security posts in one post, which had made our jobs too hard. But they decrease our working hours. We have done 92 additional hours of work. But they falsely register those working hours as 40 work hours. They register most of our working hours as additional hours to decrease our wages,” another protester said.

“Our four-month contract has ended. So, [employers] do not give us items and facilities. These clothes and shoes are private. Since the coronavirus began, they did not give us a face mask. The company receives face masks rations but does not give them to us,” said a protester.

“We have been disappointed by government officials. They do not help us at all,” said a worker.

“Security agents threaten our representatives not to defend us. We have around ten representatives, but they are not here and are scared. Security agents either threaten representatives or attract them with financial promises or tax exemption privileges,” another protester explained.

“Most of the representatives are afraid, the members too. They are frightened to speak about their problems because the security forces will take them and threaten and harass them. Security agents call representatives, saying, ‘You are not a representative, and why do you defend workers and unify them against us?’” he continued.

“There are many instances of oppressive measures. For example, a worker was a guard here. He was our representative. Currently, they have removed him from his position and appointed him as an airport security guard. They have completely changed his work,” another protester said.

Rally of Toll Workers—Iranians continue protests on February 8

Rally of Toll Workers

Qazvin province—for the third consecutive day, toll workers held a rally in front of the Provincial Governorate. They protested officials for failing to recruit unemployed people and firing toll workers.

Fired workers demanded officials return them to the work. “Unemployment! Governor, support us,” protesters chanted, calling on the Governor to resolve their dilemmas. Notably, officials had previously vowed to recruit new forces. However, not only did they not hire new forces but dismissed on-duty workers.

“You have turned our hope into despair. You have deprived us of necessities. We have nothing to lose. We waited months and now it has reached a year, when do you want to be accountable?” workers had written on a banner.

Rally of Heavy Drivers—Iranians continue protests on February 8

Rally of Heavy Drivers

Khuzestan province—heavy drivers of Shadegan city’s Foulad (Steel) Industry complex rallied in front of the complex’s entrance gate with their vehicles.

They protested the activities of brokers who are filling their pockets at the expense of drivers. “These persons are violating the rules of toll and drivers’ association. They are fishing in muddy waters,” drivers said.

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