On March 2 and 3, the people of Iran held at least seven rallies and protests in different cities over officials’ failure to meet their inherent demands. Southern provinces like Khuzestan, Hormozgan, and Kerman had the lion’s share in the March 2 and 3 protests.
On the other hand, citizens protested the government’s imprudence in resolving their current dilemmas. Furthermore, retirees and workers protested officials’ failure to pay their pensions and salaries.
Rally of Contract Teachers
Tehran province—on March 2, contract teachers held a rally in front of the Education Ministry. They protested the ministry’s procedure for the recruitment of new forces. They demanded officials issue their work licenses.
#IranProtests#Tehran—contract teachers rallied in front of the Education Ministry, protesting officials' failure to recruit them despite their experience. pic.twitter.com/O3gLodf3Lc
— Iran News Update (@IranNewsUpdate1) March 3, 2021
Despite the coronavirus outbreak and rampant economic dilemmas, the government refuses to ease the people’s hardship. Alongside many other classes, teachers, educators, and trainers have frequently called on officials to follow up their problems. However, the government declined to pursue their demands, leaving them in a dire situation.
Rally of Municipality Workers
Khuzestan province—workers and sweepers of the Kut Abdollah district in Ahvaz staged a gathering in front of the Urban Services’ bureau. They protested officials’ failure to pay their salaries for four months.
#IranProtests#Khuzestan—workers of the Kut Abdollah Municipality in Ahvaz rallied in front of the Urban Services Bureau, protesting officials' failure to pay their salaries for four months.
"For four months, we are living without salaries and insurances," they wrote on a banner. pic.twitter.com/ac5ZGULYBX— Iran News Update (@IranNewsUpdate1) March 3, 2021
“In such circumstances and regarding growing prices, workers’ salaries only cover some days’ expenditures. However, the employers have usurped our meager wages,” said protesters.
“Please help us workers of the Kut Abdollah Municipality. For four months, we are living without salaries and insurances,” workers had written on a banner.
Rally of Steel Retirees
Khuzestan province—on March 3, retirees of the Foulad [Steel] Industry held a rally in front of the Provincial Governorate in Ahvaz.
#IranProtests#Khuzestan—retirees of the Steel Industry rallied in front of the Provincial Governorate in Ahvaz, protesting the unclear fate of their savings in the institution's fund. pic.twitter.com/xBGkHq56AT
— Iran News Update (@IranNewsUpdate1) March 3, 2021
They protested officials’ non-transparent actions and the fate of their savings at the Foulad’s retirees’ fund. “Autonomy within Foulad’s fund has made the fund a backyard for officials,” a protester had written on a banner.
Shopkeepers’ Protest
Khuzestan province—shopkeepers of shopping centers like Karun, Mahziar, Kianpars, etc. held a gathering in front of the Provincials Governorate in Ahvaz. They protested the strict restrictions of coronavirus.
#IranProtests#Khuzestan—shopkeepers of different shopping centers in Ahvaz gathered in front of the Provincial Governorate, protesting coronavirus restrictions, which have banned them from their regular business. pic.twitter.com/YHkOz6e1B0
— Iran News Update (@IranNewsUpdate1) March 3, 2021
In the past year, many Iranian citizens were affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. Instead, the government has done nothing to assist millions of people who are struggling with economic dilemmas.
Officials’ negligence has prompted citizens’ outrage in different cities across the country. In other words, the government forced the people to chose between illness and starvation.
Rally of Lirdaf Residents
Hormozgan province—residents of Lirdaf district in Jask county held a rally in front of the Cooperative office. They protested officials’ failure and imprudence in distributing wheat flour.
#IranProtests#Hormozgan—Lirdaf residents in the Jask county rallied in front of the government-controlled Cooperative Institution, protesting officials for the lack of essential needs. pic.twitter.com/9DjKbfZzDk
— Iran News Update (@IranNewsUpdate1) March 4, 2021
“The Islamic Republic officials’ indifference and imprudence contributed to the growing inflation rate and the shortage of essential items. Thanks to the Islamic Republic, the price of essential goods and foodstuff has increased several times!” said protesters.
Rally of Railroad Workers
Kerman province—contract workers of Travers Railroad company in Zarand city held a rally, protesting managers’ failure to pay their salaries and arrears for three months. They include 60 workers and work at the Zaran-Siriz project.
#IranProtests#Kerman—around 60 railroad workers, who are working at the Siriz-Zarand project, rallied, protesting employers' failure to pay their salaries for three months. pic.twitter.com/8hk6BVl2hu
— Iran News Update (@IranNewsUpdate1) March 4, 2021
“These workers have been working on this project for several years. Given the employers’ refusal to pay their salaries, they struggle with numerous dilemmas,” said a worker.
Rally of Technical College Students
South Khorasan province—a group of students, professors, and staff of the Birjand Technical University held a rally in front of the Provincial Governorate. They protested officials for integrating this university with the Birjand University. They called on relevant officials to follow up their complaint.
#IranProtests#SouthKhorasan—students, professors, and staff of Birjand's Technical College rallied in front of Provincial Governorate, protesting officials for integrating the university with the Birjand College.
"No to integration" & "Independence for College," read on banners. pic.twitter.com/ZpuUiK7jkg— Iran News Update (@IranNewsUpdate1) March 4, 2021
“No to Integration,” “The independence for the Technical University,” and “Protection of the province’s industrial education,” protesters had written on banners.
Iranians Continue Protests; at Least Four Rallies and Strikes on March 1