Reported by PMOI/MEK
Iran, March 3, 2019 – As the mullahs’ regime in Iran is engulfed in escalating economic difficulties and its banks are literally facing complete bankruptcy, people from all walks of life in numerous cities throughout Iran are intensifying their strikes and protests.
In Tehran, people pre-purchasing vehicles from the state-run Iran Khodro and Pars companies rallies outside the regime’s Ministry of Industry on Saturday, demanding answers and protesting officials’ refusal to deliver their purchased vehicles or returning their money.
The protesters were chanting: “We’re not going anywhere and demand to see the minister himself.”
Pre-purchasers of Iran Khodro vehicles protesting in Tehran, Iran – March 2, 2019
In the past months, many people have registered to purchase vehicles from Iran Khodro and Saipa, two of the largest auto manufacturers of Iran. However, their purchases haven’t been delivered to them, which has triggered protests in different cities.
The purchases came after the manufacturers issued statements, encouraging consumers to buy their vehicles in advance at discounted rates. Nevertheless, at the due date, the companies stalled and refrained from delivering. Recently, both companies cancelled discounts and declared new prices, which caused shock and fury among the thousands of customers that had entrusted the companies with their money.
According to the customers, the companies’ practices have caused more damage than benefit. The customers have been demonstrating in front of the branches and exhibition centers of the companies and demanding refunds for their purchases.
According to the protesters, in summer, when they pre-ordered the vehicles of Iran Khodro, they could have spent the same money to purchase ready vehicles at much lower prices. Now, with the price hikes and the sudden policy change of the auto manufacturer, they won’t be able to explore the options they had at the time of ordering, even if Iran Khodro refunds them.
Also in Tehran on Saturday, pre-purchasers of Kerman Motor S5 vehicles rallied outside the regime’s Majlis (parliament), protesting the company’s refusal to deliver their cars and increasing the prices to a whopping 340 million rials.
Pre-purchasers of Kerman Motor vehicles protesting in Tehran, Iran – March 2, 2019
A number of employees of Tehran’s bus service rallied on Saturday, protesting increasing living costs and their inability to make ends meet. This rally was held outside the regime’s Labor Ministry in the country’s capital.
Tehran bus service employees rallying outside the regime’s Labor Ministry – March 2, 2019
Back in December, the Greater Tehran Bus Drivers Syndicate reported the Iranian regime’s intelligence and security agents arrested one of their members by the name of Reza Shahabi. He was originally detained along with a number of others and transferred to an unknown location.
“… workers of six different units have been protesting and demanding better facilitation of their homes. At least one protesting worker set himself ablaze outside a regime office building… and there is no information about his conditions,” according to a Syndicate statement.
Following these arrests, the Greater Tehran Bus Drivers Syndicate issued a statement strongly condemning these measures and demanding their unconditional and immediate release.
The family and friends of these Syndicate members, along with their colleagues, rallied outside Tehran’s notorious Evin Prison, demanding the release of their loved ones.
Following this gathering, the mullahs’ regime was forced into releasing the arrested individuals. The Greater Tehran Bus Drivers Syndicate issued a report announcing the release of those arrested.
“Let us hope all teachers, workers, and students are released,” the statement read in part.
In the city of Sirjan, southern Iran, rail workers of the RSTC co. contracting company continued their strike on Saturday, protesting not receiving their paychecks for the past three months. During their rally, these protesting workers also blocked the rail tracks for three hours.
Taravros workers on strike in Sirjan, southern Iran – March 2, 2019
In Andimeshk, southwest Iran, workers and employees of the Zagros Railway Company rallied on Saturday, protesting not receiving their paychecks for the past several months.
Zagros Railway Company workers protesting in Andimeshk, southwest Iran – March 2, 2019
