On Friday, January 29, the impoverished people of Iran continued their protests against the government and its institutions’ economic failures and wrong policies. In this context, Iranian citizens held at least three rallies and strikes in two cities.
Car customers in Isfahan city, and municipal workers and automaking company staff in Tabriz held these protests. They blamed government-linked individuals for looting their money and failing to keep their promises.
The continuation of protests over economic grievances shows that Iranians see no way to obtain their inherent rights except to raise their voices. In recent weeks, officials from both the regime’s factions have frequently warned about society’s volatile conditions and people’s readiness for another round of nationwide protests.
In this respect, the government has amplified its oppressive measures and increased the number of executions. In response, the people continue their protests. Furthermore, members and supporters of the leading opposition group, the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK), declared their support for the people’s struggle.
Rally of Car Customers
Isfahan province—customers of Shahr-e Khodro [the city of car] automaking company held a rally in front of Aseman Hotel, where the Shahr-e Khodro soccer team is stationed. Customers protested managers for failing to deliver their cars after three years.
#IranProtests #Isfahan—clients of Shahr-e Khodro automaking company rallied in front of Aseman Hotel, where Shahr-e Khodro soccer team was stationed. They protested the company's failure to deliver their cars after 3 years.
"They stole our money to create soccer team"—Protesters pic.twitter.com/x7H6m2l6r8— IranNewsUpdate (@IranNewsUpdate1) January 30, 2021
“Shahr-e Khodro is the car thief,” “Your cars are provided by our money, and it is forbidden,” “They stole our money to create a soccer team,” “Buzzard [Shahr-e Khodro CEO Farhad] Hamidavi must be punished,” and “Hamidavi and [CEO’s aide Mohammad] Hajian are the thieves’ ringleaders,” chanted protesters.
Rally of Municipal Workers
Eastern Azarbaijan province—a group of contract personnel held a rally in front of Tabriz Municipality. They protested officials’ indifference toward their dilemmas.
#IranProtests#EasternAzarbaijan—contract workers of Tabriz Municipality rallied in front of the municipality's building, protesting officials' failure to resolve their dilemmas.
"Mayor is asleep and has left his personnel," protesters chanted. pic.twitter.com/WVPOttvAaT— IranNewsUpdate (@IranNewsUpdate1) January 30, 2021
“The Mayor is asleep and has left his personnel,” protesters chanted in their rally. Previously, workers and sweepers of Tabriz Municipality had held numerous rallies to achieve their rights.
Strike of IKCO Staff
Eastern Azarbaijan province—a group of workers of Iran’s main automaker company, Iran Khodro Company (IKCO), stopped working and held a rally at the facility. They protested the managing board’s failure to pay their paychecks for months. Protesters also expressed their anger about the dismissal of their co-workers.
#IranProtests#EasternAzarbaijan—IKCO automaking company staff stopped working and held a rally, protesting the managing board's failure to pay their overdue salaries.
They protested officials for firing their colleagues in recent weeks. pic.twitter.com/oSa7mHWFZT— IranNewsUpdate (@IranNewsUpdate1) January 30, 2021
Since the beginning of the coronavirus crisis in Iran, many major factories and companies have dismissed many workers and employees, adding them to the big army of unemployed and hungry citizens. In this respect, the government has done nothing to ease these companies’ financial troubles, which have resulted in heartbreaking conditions for working families.
Earlier, state-run media acknowledged that more than 90 percent of working families in Iran face a dire economic situation, and they are scrambling with lack of nutrition and extreme poverty.
Iranians Continue Protests; at Least Five Rallies and Strikes on January 28
