Home News Protests Iranians Continue Protests; Including Retirees’ Widespread Rally on January 26

Iranians Continue Protests; Including Retirees’ Widespread Rally on January 26

By
Mahmoud Hamidi
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On January 26, Iranian citizens held at least four rallies and strikes, including retirees' widespread protests in 15 cities across Iran.

On January 26, retirees held widespread protests in 15 cities across Iran. In their protests, retirees and pensioners demanded officials return their savings and pensions. However, MP Abbas Moqtadaei revealed that the government has granted retirees’ savings to the former coach of the National Soccer Team, according to Vice-President Eshaq Jahangiri’s order.

On the other hand, creditors and car customers once again rallied to protest the regime-backed automakers’ failure to deliver their pre-purchased cars in accordance with their contracts.

Widespread Rally of Retirees and Pensioners in Different Cities
Widespread Rally of Retirees and Pensioners in Different Cities

Widespread Rally of Retirees and Pensioners

Retirees and pensioners of the Social Security Organization held rallies in 15 cities across the country. The government’s refusal to see to their concerns forced them to raise their voices once again, demanding their inherent rights. In the past month, retirees have staged rallies in different areas approximately every week.

In the city of Karaj, Alborz province, retirees rallied in front of the local office of the Social Security Organization. “[Unkept] promises are enough, our food baskets are empty” and “We can only achieve our rights on the tarmac,” protesters chanted.

In the city of Tabriz, Eastern Azarbaijan province, pensioners gathered in front of the Provincial Governorate. They announced that due to their health condition they cannot start a new business to make ends meet.

In the city of Ahvaz, Khuzestan province, retirees held a rally in front of the Labor and Social Welfare Office. They protested officials’ failure to pay their inherent rights.

Also, in the cities of Shush and Haft-Tappeh, Khuzestan province, pensioners rallied in front of the Shush Branch of the Social Security Organization. “Yesterday, [government-linked] persons held a rally to create division between us. However, today, pensioners have once again rallied. The government did not balance our salaries while it has balanced other retirees’ salaries,” a protester said.

In the city of Rasht, Gilan province, pensioners continued their weekly rallies by gathering in front of the Retiree Association. “Retirees’ salaries do not fit with their expenditures. How can they cover their livelihood, housing, and medical costs for themselves and their families due to high prices and inflation?” a protester said.

In the capital Tehran, retirees and pensioners rallied in front of the Labor and Social Affairs Ministry. They protested officials’ indecision toward their dilemmas.

In the city of Sari, Mazandaran province, retirees gathered in front of the Social Security Office. “Salaries must be set according to the inflation rate” and “Our current need is the livelihood and medical treatment,” protesters had written on banners.

In the city of Ilam, Ilam province, retirees and pensioners held a rally, chanting, “Retirees are awake, and we hate discrimination.”

In the city of Kermanshah, Kermanshah province, retirees rallied in front of the Social Security Office. “[Officials] will again deceive us but we would not give in. We would be unfatigued and continue our rallies. Hail to the retirees,” said a protester.

In the city of Qazvin, Qazvin province, retirees rallied in front of the Social Security Office, venting their anger over the regime’s indifference.

In the city of Mashhad, Razavi Khorasan province, retirees rallied in front of the local Governorate, protesting the officials’ failure to pay pensioners’ rights.

In the city of Khorramabad, Lorestan province, retirees and pensioners rallied in parallel with other retirees in various cities and provinces.

In the city of Shiraz, Fars province, retirees rallied in front of the Provincial Governorate, protesting the regime’s plundering policies.

In the city of Bojnourd, North Khorasan province, retirees and pensioners gathered in front of the Social Security Office, demanding officials respect their basic rights.

In the city of Sanandaj, Kurdistan province, retirees and pensioners gathered in front of the Social Security Office, venting their anger at officials’ indifference toward their dilemmas and dire living conditions.

Notably, in an interview with the state-run TV Channel Five, an MP revealed that the Vice-President had ordered the government to settle debts of the Sports and Youths Ministry with retirees’ savings.

“According to the Vice-President’s order, [the government] had withdrawn some money of the Social Security Organization’s Investment Company and granted it to the Sports and Youths Ministry to pay the National Soccer Team’s coach and compensate for its debts,” said Deputy Chair of the Parliament (Majlis) National Security Commission.

Rally of Creditors

Rally of Creditors

Tehran province—creditors of the Meftah Rahnavard company held a rally, protesting the company’s failure to deliver their cars. Around 1,126 persons have registered for taking cars so far.

In recent weeks, citizens who had pre-purchased cars held several rallies in different areas. However, the government did not care about their demands. Notably, the Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) or its subsidiaries control major automaking companies, and the IRGC’s plundering policies have dragged this industry to the verge of collapse.

Rally of Tomato Farmers

Rally of Tomato Farmers

Hormozgan province—tomato farmers in Hashtbandi county held a rally, protesting the low price of their products. To express their ire, farmers blocked the road connecting the counties of Hashtbandi to Minab.

“We have seen huge disadvantages due to the low tomato price. Tomato price is far lower than its production costs,” said the farmers.

Notably, several weeks ago, eggplant farmers threw their products on the tarmac, protesting the low price and the lack of buyers. These farmers are deprived of the government’s support despite their hard work. Previously, farmers sowed a highly productive kind of tomato to improve their products. However, they yielded disadvantage rather than privileges.

Strike of Sports Team Staff

Strike of Sports Team Staff

Kerman province—just hours before the sensitive Kerman derby between soccer teams of Mes-e [cooper] Kerman and Sirjan Arman Gohar, the staff of Mes-e Kerman team shut the door on the club CEO Ali Ramezani.

To protest their decreasing salaries and the managing board’s failure to uphold its obligations, the club staff locked Ramezani’s bureau. Staff also gathered at the club facility and prevented Ramezani’s relatives and aides from helping him.

Iranians Continue Protests; at Least Five Rallies and Strikes on January 25

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