A group of contract teachers held a protest rally in front of the Majlis (parliament) on Sunday, while chanting slogans: “We have suffered much. We’ve seen no justice.”
The teachers are demanding MPs to vote for their work status to be changed to full-time employment. This is one of the several demands that the contract teachers have been pursuing in the past years. Others include payment of overdue wages and experience bonuses. The education minister has confirmed that the government has not yet paid the wages of many contract teachers for the first six months of the calendar year. And the deputy education minister for planning and resource development claims the government has “financial constraints.”
In Khuzestan province, a group of pensioners held a protest rally in front of the governorate. They installed a banner on the wall of the governorate building that read: “The cry of hungry pensioners.”
The protesters say, it is regretful that after 42 years, the only thing the 1979 has achieved for pensioners is hunger.
Pensioners are regularly protesting the deteriorating economic conditions. While the price of the rial continues to dwindle due to the regime’s corrupt and destructive policies, the pensions of retired government employees have not been adjusted for new exchange rates and the skyrocketing inflation. Consequently, with the meager pensions they receive, these people cannot provide their more basic needs.
Protest rally by toll workers of Qazvin
In Qazvin, toll workers rallied in front of the governor’s office on Sunday. These employees have been regularly protesting in front of government offices. According to the protesters, the introduction of electronic devices has resulted in the layoff of more than 130 customs workers.
“You have turned our hopes into despair. We have nothing to lose. Months have become years. When will you respond,” the protesters had written on a banner that was addressed to the provincial governor.
Protest rally by workers of HEPCO company
On Sunday, workers of HEPCO, a large industrial manufacturer in Arak, held a protest rally in front of the Majlis. On the previous day, the workers had held a similar rally in front of the Social Security Organization.
“Once again, we intend to raise our voices to relevant officials on behalf of the noble workers of HEPCO company. By participating in front of the Ministry of Labor, the Parliament (Majlis), and the Social Security Organization, we demand officials accelerate implementing their promises,” one of the workers said.
