Amid escalating economic challenges and rising poverty rates in Iran, several Iranian cities witnessed protest gatherings on Saturday, March 9, involving retirees, workers, nurses, and temporary contract employees at the National Drilling.
These demonstrations expressed high levels of public dissatisfaction with the current conditions, as many Iranians find themselves unable to meet their basic needs amid difficult economic circumstances.
In Tehran, retired government employees organized a protest in front of the Ministry of Education, voicing their frustration with low and delayed pensions. According to the regime’s own laws, the government is required to raise the pensions of retirees in accordance with the costs of living. But while inflation continues to soar and the costs of living continue to rise, regime officials refuse to raise the pensions of retirees in different sectors.
More photos of today's protest rally by retired government employees in front of the education ministry in Tehran.#Iran #IranProtests pic.twitter.com/st7IRQdRp0
— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) March 9, 2024
Several cities also saw another gathering of temporary contract workers of the National Drilling Company. These protests took place at different sites, where workers are facing very harsh working conditions and are deprived of basic work amenities and decent wages that would cover the costs of living.
In several locations, hundreds of workers rallies and called out authorities and regime officials that continue to ignore their demands.
More footage of the protest rally by contract workers of the National Iranian Drilling Company.#Iran #IranProtestspic.twitter.com/S5NBPh8tFi
— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) March 9, 2024
In Shiraz, the scope of the protest expanded to include healthcare workers, where nurses and medical staff organized protest gatherings in all the city’s hospitals, demanding improved working conditions and higher wages. The protesters highlighted their struggles with mandatory overtime and the government’s failure to fulfill promises to improve wages and working conditions.
Nurses in Iran are faced with increased pressure and declining working conditions, especially since the coronavirus pandemic, when the regime completely abandoned healthcare workers. The declining conditions of work in hospitals, nurses are leaving the country in droves and several have committed suicide.
More footage of protest rallies by nurses in Shiraz.#Iran #IranProtestspic.twitter.com/uprCNJnkT6
— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) March 9, 2024
In Semnan, applicants for national housing projects and the National Housing Movement participated in protest gatherings, expressing their dissatisfaction with delays in housing project execution and the government’s failure to fulfill promises of providing suitable housing.
This is one of several cases where state-backed housing companies have taken the funds of customers and refrained from delivering on their purchases. The same pattern can be seen in the finance and vehicle industries, which are tightly controlled and owned by government entities and the Revolutionary Guards.
In Asaluyeh, the contract and official workers of the South Pars gas refinery continued their strikes and protests as regime officials ignore their demands for better working conditions and higher pay. Like other members of Iran’s labor community, these workers are struggling to make ends meet as the poverty line continues to rise and their wages remain constant.
More footage of the today's protest rally by workers of the South Pars gas refinery.#Iran #IranProtestspic.twitter.com/0AGFSFiQU8
— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) March 9, 2024
In Shush, the workers of the Water and Wastewater Organization held the fifth day of their rallies in protest to not receiving their wages for several months.
The continuation of these protests, on the heels of the regime’s sham parliamentary elections, indicates that the people of Iran have become disillusioned about the role that the government and legislative play in their lives. No matter who is in the Majlis or the Presidential palace, they know that the only way to fight for their rights is to raise their voices in the streets.
March 9—Shush, southwest #Iran
Fifth day of protests rallies by official and contract workers of the Water and Wastewater Organization who have not received their wages for several months. #IranProtests pic.twitter.com/WApMD2wUBY— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) March 9, 2024
