Protest rallies by pensioners and retirees from Iran’s telecommunications sector erupted across the country on Monday, highlighting the exacerbating living conditions as the ruling regime continuously neglects their concerns.
Major cities such as Tehran, Rasht, Ilam, Kermanshah, Ahvaz, Tabriz, Mashhad, Sari, Sanandaj, Zanjan, Isfahan, Shiraz, and Bandar Abbas reported instances of unrest.
In Tehran, protesters criticized the regime for its economic policies, directly accusing the government of destroying the national economy while deflecting the blame onto foreign entities. The rallying cry was clear: “The enemy is right here! They’re lying that it is America!”
Retirees have been protesting in the past few years as their pensions fail to match the country’s inflation rate and fluctuating rial value. The price of basic commodities has skyrocketed, but the retirees’ stipends remain stagnant. Chants from protesters underscored the grim reality: “Enough with the promises! Our tables are empty!”
July 24—Tehran, #Iran
Retirees of the telecom industry hold protest rally, demanding higher pensions & other basic needs. Protesters chanting:
"Our enemy is right here, they're lying that it is the US!"
"Shout for your rights retirees!"#IranProtestspic.twitter.com/y5GM8bZscp— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) July 24, 2023
The 2010 law, which mandates an increase in telecom retiree pensions and provision of basic services like healthcare, remains unimplemented. The government’s failure to abide by this law is one of the main focal points of the protesters’ demands.
In Ilam, chants resonated against Majid Soltani, the CEO of the state telecom company, who was previously head of technology and communications of the repressive State Security Forces (SSF).
As the government’s lack of action continues, pensioners, dependent solely on their meager government stipends, slide further into poverty. At Isfahan, defiant telecom retirees pledged, “We will continue our Monday rallies until we obtain our rights.”
July 24—Ahvaz, southwest #Iran
Protest rally by retirees of the telecom industry. Protesters are demanding higher pensions and other basic needs that the regime has denied them. #IranProtestspic.twitter.com/h0WjIloIuN— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) July 24, 2023
Simultaneously, customers defrauded by the state-run car manufacturer, Rezayat Khodro, staged a protest rally in Takestan, northwest Iran. The company has failed to deliver on its commitments or provide refunds, pushing the crowd to vocal dissent, declaring, “The government and Majlis don’t care about the people!”
The regime responded by deploying large security forces to disperse the crowd. A disturbing act of self-immolation was reported amid the chaos.
Meanwhile, workers from the Chadormalu Mining and Industrial Company, Yazd, continued their strike into the second day, demanding better working conditions, fair wages, and payment of their dividends.
July 24—Yazd, central #Iran
Workers of Chadormalu Mining and Industrial Company continue their strike for the second day. The workers are demanding the adjustment of wages based on increasing inflation rates, and the payment of their stock dividends.#IranProtests pic.twitter.com/c6HARWNKpU— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) July 24, 2023
Monday also saw families of hemophilia patients protest outside the Ministry of Health against medicine shortages and unmet demands. These widespread demonstrations across the country serve as a stark reminder of the social and economic issues plaguing Iran under the current regime.
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