The nationwide truck drivers strike enters it’s second week despite increasing repressive measures by the regime.
On Monday, May 28th, Our Iran published a report on the protests that took place in Iran last week. More than 489 protests were held in the one week period, with an average of 69 protests each day. Truck drivers, workers, and others who have suffered at the hands of the Iranian regime turned out in droves in cities across Iran to protest the economic policies of the corrupt government.
The protests can be broken down into the following categories:
- Labor: 33 protests
- Looted citizens: 9 protests
- Retirees: 4 protests
- Teachers: 1 protest
- Students: 4 protests
- Political prisoners: 3 protests
- Truck drivers: 406 protests
- Others: 29 protests
Truck Driver Strike
Based on reports from the MEK network, on May 22nd, truck drivers from several cities went on strike, pledging to continue the strike until their demands were met. Truck drivers cited a number of reasons for their strike, including low freight weights, unjust cargo distribution, reduced driver wages, and excessive price increases for tires and spare parts.
The strike has been massive in scale, taking place in at least 242 cities and 31 provinces. A total of 406 protest activities by the striking drivers have been held over the first six days of the strike.
The cohesiveness of the striking drivers and their actions to prevent other drivers from breaking the strike have been notable. Also worth noting is the drivers’ refusal to submit to government intimidation, even in the face of beatings by government agents.
The effects of the strike were almost immediate, with fuel shortages beginning on the second day of the strike. Some gas stations were forced to close completely, while those who remained open had long lines. On the fifth day, bus drivers in several cities began to strike in solidarity with the truckers. Drivers working for factories and companies also joined the strike, causing shutdowns and disruptions in the affected businesses.
Those participating in the truck driver strike include:
- National Distribution Company of Oil Products drivers in the Isfahan Region;
- Terminal tank truck drivers in Bandar Shahpour;
- Mobarakeh Steel drivers;
- Isfahan refinery Co-operative drivers;
- Isfahan refinery fuel carriers;
- Minibus and taxis drivers in Yazd and Shiraz;
- Terminal truck drivers in Khuzestan;
- Truck drivers in Khash city located in Sistan and Baluchestan;
- Snapp taxi drivers in Isfahan;
- Persi Iran Gas Company gas transportation drivers (Persi is the main supplier of gas in Iran);
- Tractor drivers in Varzaneh;
- Hamadan Steel Industries drivers;
- Charcoal truck drivers in Zarand, Kerman;
- Sugar factory truck drivers in Shahrekord;
- Pasargad Cold Storage Cooperative drivers;
- Truck drivers of refrigerated vehicles in Tehran;
- Caspian Steel truck drivers in Sirjan.
Uprising in Kazerun
Funerals for Omid Reza Yousefian, Ali Mohammadian Azad and Mehdi Hadi Javanteb, martyrs of the Kazerun uprising, were held last week. The widely attended funerals turned into protests against the government, with mourners chanting: “Death to Yazid of the era!” “Death to the dictator!” and “My martyred brother, I’ll take your revenge.”
Merchants’ Strike
Tehran markets were disrupted last week by strikes by Jafari Market, Soltani market and Amir Kabir market. Some malls also participated in the strike, as well the Qom, Isfahan, Jolfa and Maku markets, which shut down their shops. The strike was in protest of the stagnant financial market caused by the regime’s policies.
Railway Workers’ Strike
Traverse Railway strikes have been ongoing and continued last week. Workers in Semnan, Shahroud and Damghan are participating in the strike, which is in protest of nonpayment or delayed payment of wages and rising insurance premiums.
Staff Writer