Retired workers and pensioners of the Iranian regime’s Social Security Organization held protest rallies in several cities across Iran on Sunday as has become the norm in recent months. As their living conditions continue to deteriorate under the corrupt rule of the mullahs, the retirees have found no other solution to obtain their rights than to take to the streets and hold protest rallies.
Protests were reported in Rasht, Ahvaz, Isfahan, Kermanshah, and Shush.
July 30—Shush, southwest #Iran
Protest rally by retirees of the regime's Social Security Organization from Shush, Haft Tappeh, and Karkheh. Protesters are demanding higher pensions and other basic rights that the regime has denied them.#IranProtestspic.twitter.com/jv0hileVAK— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) July 30, 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. Retirees are also facing lack or inadequate access to basic services such as healthcare and health insurance.
In Isfahan, the retirees of the steel industry held a protest rally in front of the offices of the Steel Industry Retirement Fund and chanted slogans against the regime. “The loyal Majlis has caused the price hikes!” the protesters chanting, referring to the parliament, whose members were handpicked and approved based on their loyalty to regime supreme leader Ali Khamenei.
More footage of today's protest rally by pensioners and retirees of the steel industry in Isfahan.
Protesters chanting: "The Majlis loyal [to Khamenei] has caused the price hikes!"#IranProtestspic.twitter.com/ttUHCVRsEC— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) July 30, 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.
In Ahvaz, retirees were reiterating their demand for healthcare and other services that the government had promised to them. “We will only get our rights in the streets!” the protesters chanting, reflecting their rage toward the regime’s continued ignorance toward their basic demands.
More footage of today's protest rally by pensioners in Ahvaz. Protesters chanting, "We will only get our rights in the streets!"#IranProtestspic.twitter.com/GjkhVzqWxS
— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) July 30, 2023
In Rasht, protesters were making it clear that the regime is behind all the miseries they are suffering from. “They looted the country and ruined the lives of the people,” the retirees were chanting in their rally on Sunday.
July 30—Rasht, northern #Iran
Protest rally by retirees of the Social Security Organization. Protesters are demanding higher pensions and other basic rights that the regime has denied them. #IranProtestspic.twitter.com/CyFLv2ilCa— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) July 30, 2023
Also on Sunday, the employees of the oil and gas sector in Gachsaran, Kohgiluyeh and Boyer Ahmad province, held a protest rally, demanding the implementation of a law that was passed in 2012 and requires the oil ministry to increase their wages. While government after government have promised to implement the law, they have refrained from doing so. Meanwhile, the lives of the workers and employees of the oil and gas sector continue to spiral into poverty.
July 30—Gachsaran, southwest #Iran
Protest rally by employees of the oil and gas sector, demanding the implementation of a law that was passed in 2014 and requires the oil ministry to increase their wages.#IranProtests pic.twitter.com/6lWpHWHCXm— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) July 30, 2023
And in Tehran, nurses of the Imam hospital held a rally, protesting authorities’ refraining from paying their overdue wages.
July 30—Tehran, #Iran
Protest rally by nurses of Imam Hospital. Regime authorities have refrained from paying their overdue wages.#IranProtestspic.twitter.com/0ScE1917du— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) July 30, 2023