Retirees and pensioners of the Iranian regime’s Social Security Organization and steel industry held their weekly protest rallies in several cities across the country on Sunday, as they continue to face livelihood challenges caused by the destructive policies of the ruling mullahs. Rallies were reported in Shush, Kermanshah, Shushtar, and Isfahan.
More footage of today's protest rally by retirees of the Social Security Organization in Kermanshah.
"Since 14 years ago, every government that came to power dug its hands into the pockets of retirees," one protester says.pic.twitter.com/QT2y3iww7W— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) August 20, 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 several fold while pensioners continue to receive the same stipends as before.
In Kermanshah, protesters were chanting, “The bankrupt government is the enemy of the people!” referring to the regime’s policies to squander the country’s wealth on terrorism, suppression, and projects that do not benefit the people.
One of the protesters said, “Since 14 years ago, every government that came to power dug its hands into the pockets of retirees, whether through the government retirement fund, the military retirement fund, and especially the Social Security fund.”
More footage of today's protest rally by retirees of the Social Security Organization in Shush.
"Neither the Majlis nor the government care about the people!" protesters are chanting.#IranProtestspic.twitter.com/UC7kNYMpXw— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) August 20, 2023
In Shush, the retirees of Shush, Karkheh, and Haft Tappeh held a joint protest rally and reiterated their demands for higher pensions based on the regime’s own laws. In their slogans, the retirees made it clear that the regime in its entirety is responsible for the deteriorating conditions of their livelihoods.
“Neither the Majlis nor the government care about the people!” the protesters were chanting.
August 20—Shushtar, southwest #Iran
Retirees of the Social Security Organization hold protest rally in front of its offices, demanding higher pensions and basic services.#IranProtestspic.twitter.com/V812FVxKGq— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) August 20, 2023
In Shushtar, the protesters were chanting, “The government betrays us, the Majlis supports it!”
One of the demands that pensioners and retirees from different sectors are repeatedly raising is the regime neglecting its own laws. According to the regime’s laws, the government is required to provide the basic needs of pensioners. It must adjust pensions according to the costs of living. But while the government dithers and refrains from doing so, other branches of power also refrain from taking any action, further proving that the regime in its entirety is involved in destroying the lives of millions of Iranians.
In Isfahan, retirees of the steel industry held their protest rally in front of the offices of the steel retirement fund and were chanting, “What happened to this country that had so much income?”
August 20—Isfahan, central #Iran
Retirees on the steel industry hold protest rally, demanding higher pensions and other basic living needs.
"What happened to this country that had so much income?" protesters shouting.#IranProtestspic.twitter.com/WdD0rj890J— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) August 20, 2023
In Qazvin, the customers of the state-backed Maskan-e Meli housing company held a protest rally in front of the General Directorate of Roads and Urban Development of Qazvin, demanding authorities to be accountable for the houses they had bought several years ago but have not yet received.
“In 2019, Maskan-e Melli registered us as applicants for new homes from low-income deciles,” one of the protesters said. “We signed up. In 2020, they said told us they would give us a home for 100 million tomans [down payment] and 100 million tomans in mortgage. In 2022, they told us that we have to 240 million tomans and 200 million tomans in mortgage. Six months ago, they raised it to 400 million tomans. Now they’re telling us to give an additional 55 million tomans to get the keys. This is their promise to low-income families?”
August 20—Qazvin, northwest #Iran
Customers of the state-backed Maskan-e Mehr housing company hold protest rally, demanding the delivery of houses that they paid for several years ago.#IranProtestspic.twitter.com/GgLgLBoeGV— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) August 20, 2023
In Tehran, a group of disabled people held a rally in front of the City Council and protested the changes made to the policies and structure of the transportation fleet for disabled people.
According to the regime’s own laws, the government must provide the basic needs of disabled people and provide them with jobs that they can perform. But in effect, they are struggling to make ends meet while regime officials live luxurious lives.
August 20—Tehran, #Iran
A group of disabled people rally in front of the City Council, protesting the changes made to the transportation service for the disabled.#IranProtestspic.twitter.com/CBdoVfPyzP— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) August 20, 2023