Retired government employees and pensioners held protest rallies in several cities across Iran on Monday and Tuesday as their living conditions continue to deteriorate under the corrupt rule of the mullahs. Rallies were reported in Yazd, Karaj, Kermanshah, Sanandaj, Shiraz, Qazvin, and Hamedan, and other cities.
In Shiraz, retired government employees hold protest rally in front of the provincial offices of the state-run retirement fund to reiterate their demands for higher pensions and basic rights. They held placards that read, “No to injustice.”
July 18—Shiraz, southwest #Iran
Retired government employees hold protest rally in front of the provincial offices of the state-run retirement fund to reiterate their demands for higher pensions and basic rights. #IranProtests pic.twitter.com/pSGln6j5ht— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) July 18, 2023
In the past few years, retirees across Iran have been protesting their deteriorating living conditions, especially as the government refuses to adjust their pensions based on the inflation rate and fluctuations in the price of the rial, Iran’s national currency. The price of most basic goods have spiked severalfold while pensioners continue to receive the same stipends as before.
In Kermanshah, western Iran, retired government employees held a similar rally on Tuesday and called for unity among retirees and pensioners across different sectors, including government, military, and the social security organization.
They also expressed their solidarity with teachers who were protesting and demanding the release of imprisoned teachers.
July 18—Kermanshah, western #Iran
Retired government employees resume protests to reiterate their demands for higher pensions and basic rights.
Protesters call for unity among retirees in the government, military, and social security sector.#IranProtestspic.twitter.com/6uIzXb1tWb— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) July 18, 2023
In Yazd, the retirees were chanting, “Shame on the revolutionary government!” mocking the regime for claiming to help the needy but being engaged in corruption and embezzlement at the highest levels of power.
In Sanandaj, protesters were chanting, “High prices and inflation are ruining the people’s lives!” and holding placards that read, “Raise your voice retirees, shout for your rights!”
July 18—Sanandaj, western #Iran
Retired government employees hold protest rally to reiterate their demands for higher pensions and basic rights. #IranProtestspic.twitter.com/904dsbZocb— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) July 18, 2023
For several years regime officials have been making promises to implement the law for adjusting pensions. But as they continue to dither and delay, the lives of pensioners, who rely solely on government stipends, continue to spiral into poverty.
On Tuesday, teachers also held protest rallies in Shiraz to reiterate their demands and call for the release of imprisoned teacher activists. The teachers are regularly protesting the regime’s delays and obstructions in implementing the “ranking bill” and the systemic repression of teacher activists in Iran.
The Majlis passed the “Teachers Ranking” bill last year, which is supposed to address many of the problems the teachers have been faced within recent years.
According to the bill, teachers will be classified according to “general, specialized and professional qualifications, experience, and competitive function” and divided into five rankings. Salaries will be determined based on the ranking of the teachers.
While the regime has boasted about the bill and its achievements, Iranian teachers are calling out the regime for not addressing their needs.
July 18—Shiraz, southwest #Iran
Protest rally by teachers. Protesters are chanting, "Imprisoned teachers must be released!"#IranProtestspic.twitter.com/4KIaD5hepJ— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) July 18, 2023
On Monday, retirees of the telecom industry held protest rallies in several cities, including Kermanshah, Ahvaz, Sari, Mashhad, and Sanandaj. The protesters were demanding the implementation of an employment law that was passed in 2010, which would ensure their livelihoods needs after retirement. The protesters are also facing severe problems in basic needs such as healthcare.
Knowing that the regime will not easily meet the basic demands of the people, the retirees called on others to join the protests. “Retirees, rise to fight discrimination!” protesters were chanting in Ahvaz.
July 17—Khuzestan, southwest #Iran
Retirees of the telecom industry demand higher pensions in accordance to rising inflation rates and other basic needs.
"Rise to eliminate discrimination," the protesters are chanting.#IranProtestspic.twitter.com/NwD4mTjOJi— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) July 17, 2023
These protests are happening against the backdrop of increasing repressive measures by the regime. While the people are struggling to make ends meet and carry out a decent living, the regime has been spending exorbitant amounts to bolster its security apparatus, including the detested Gasht-e Ershad (Guidance Patrol), a repressive force that controls the observation of the regime’s reactionary dress code and hijab laws.
In recent days, there have been numerous photos and videos of heavy presence of the morality police in public places. The regime wants to thus intimidate the public and prevent protests, especially as we near the first anniversary of the September 2022 protests, which were sparked by the murder of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini at the hands of the morality police.