Demonstrations rocked multiple provinces across Iran on Monday as retired telecommunications workers took to the streets demanding better living conditions and the fulfillment of their pension rights.

Simultaneously, gold market vendors shut down their shops in protest against new tax laws, while construction workers staged strikes in Chabahar, southeastern Iran.

Reports emerged on Monday, May 6, detailing the widespread protests, with retirees from the telecommunications sector gathering in cities including Tehran, Gilan, Fars, Zanjan, East Azerbaijan, West Azerbaijan, Ardabil, Lorestan, Khuzestan, Hormozgan, Markazi, and Kermanshah.

In Shiraz, retirees chanted, “Our rights are only heard on the streets,” while in Isfahan, protesters rallied with the slogan, “We’ve seen no justice, only lies.” In Rasht, the capital of Gilan province, retirees declared, “Retirees, rise up, shout for your rights,” and in Kermanshah, protesters chanted, “Retirees, stand up against injustice and discrimination.”

The protests are fueled by various grievances, including the failure to adjust welfare benefits and the non-payment of past dues at current rates, among other issues. In addition to the retirees’ protests, gold market vendors in Tehran, Tabriz, Shiraz, and Mashhad closed their shops and went on strike. This marks the second week of extensive strikes by gold vendors protesting against new tax laws and the installation of fiscal terminals.

Video footage shared on social media showed government authorities sealing off shops that had gone on strike, including gold shops in the “Emarat Mall” in Mashhad. Furthermore, there were reports of a collective strike by workers of the “Tirage” construction company in Chabahar, protesting the non-payment of wages for several consecutive months.

These protests come amidst increasing economic challenges in Iran, including rising inflation and the fluctuating exchange rate of the dollar.Hassan Irdan, an inspector with the Tehran Retirees Association, acknowledged the dire financial situation of retired workers in Iran, stating that their monthly income is insufficient to meet even one-third of the poverty line.

The protests underscore growing discontent among various segments of Iranian society and pose challenges to the government’s ability to address economic grievances effectively.

Furthermore, on May 5, some pedlars in Tabriz protested against the municipality’s plan to deal with fruit vendors. Some of them complain that municipal forces use “violence, pepper spray, and shocker” against street pedlars. Videos released by the Union of Free Workers showed a small gathering and a video message of protesting pedlars addressing the Tabriz municipality. Earlier, images of a watermelon pedlar being beaten in Tabriz were circulated on social media. A week ago, a video of this street pedlar was also released, stating that “municipal agents broke his hand.”

MEK Iran (follow us on Twitter and Facebook), Maryam Rajavi’s on her site, Twitter & Facebook, NCRI  (Twitter & Facebook), and People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran – MEK IRAN – YouTu