Nationwide Protests Sweep Across Iran as Workers Demand Justice and Fair Treatment

By
Staff Writer
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Recently, workers of the Iran National Steel Industrial Group (INSIG) in Ahvaz rallied for the sixth consecutive day on Sunday, January 28, escalating their demands for the regime to address their long-standing grievances.
Recently, workers of the Iran National Steel Industrial Group (INSIG) in Ahvaz rallied for the sixth consecutive day on Sunday, January 28, escalating their demands for the regime to address their long-standing grievances.

 

The large rally, held in strategic locations including the Khuzestan Governorate, the Ahvaz Governorate, and the central building of Bank-e Melli, signifies a growing unrest among workers across various sectors in Iran.

The protesters, voicing their frustration with chants like, “If our problems are not solved, there will be upheaval in Ahvaz” and “We haven’t seen justice, we won’t vote anymore,” are taking a firm stand against the regime’s apathy. Their protests coincide with the regime’s push for voter participation in the upcoming sham parliamentary elections set for March 1, 2024.

The steelworkers’ rallies have been a frequent sight over the past year in Ahvaz. Grievances include poor working conditions, uncertain contract statuses, and subpar management practices. The regime’s response has been far from sympathetic, with authorities resorting to firing some workers and threatening others with layoffs, fines, and even corporal punishment.

 

 

In a notable act of defiance against oppressive measures, the workers have continued their protests despite the judiciary’s announcement on September 27, 2023, which sentenced 17 INSIG protesters to flogging, imprisonment, or fines.

Parallel protests have erupted across Iran. In Gachsaran, contract oil workers rallied to demand reforms in work status, fair wage payment, job benefits, and the removal of exploitative middlemen contractors. Similarly, in Chabahar, workers of the Makran Desalination Project protested delayed wages, while in Hamedan, employees of Hegmataneh Petrochemical Company rallied against three months of unpaid wages.

 

 

In a significant protest in Gachsaran, oil sector workers gathered to demand improved working conditions, the implementation of job classification laws, higher wages, and other basic rights. Additionally, in Ahvaz and Shush, retirees and pensioners of the Social Security Organization resumed their weekly rallies, demanding higher pensions in line with the regime’s own laws and the escalating cost of living.

The protests extended to the South Pars Gas Field on Saturday, January 27, where contract workers in various cities joined in to demand proper job classification and improved working conditions. These protests, recurring in southern Iran, highlight a widespread discontent with the regime’s continual neglect of hard-working citizens’ demands.

 

 

As Iran approaches its parliamentary elections, these widespread protests across multiple sectors and cities underscore a critical juncture for the regime. The workers’ persistent rallies and unwavering demands for justice and fair treatment present a formidable challenge to the regime’s authority and highlight the urgent need for substantial reforms.

 

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

 

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