Multiple cities across Iran witnessed a surge in protests on Sunday, as retirees and pensioners from the Iranian regime’s Social Security Organization and steel industry publicly voiced their discontent over the country’s deteriorating economic conditions, aggravated by the government’s policies.
Cities including Shush, Kermanshah, Shushtar, and Isfahan became the backdrop for these escalating tensions. For years, pensioners across Iran have been on the edge due to plunging living standards. The main bone of contention is the regime’s refusal to recalibrate pensions in line with soaring inflation and the erratic performance of the rial, Iran’s national currency. This has exacerbated the woes of the elderly as the prices of basic commodities have skyrocketed, but their pension remains stagnant.
August 20—Kermanshah, western #Iran
Retirees of the Social Security Organization hold protest rally, demanding higher pensions and basic services.
"The bankrupt government is the enemy of the people!" protesters chanting.#IranProtestspic.twitter.com/xzq7vSe5ul— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) August 20, 2023
In a vocal demonstration in Kermanshah, rallying cries such as “The bankrupt government is the enemy of the people!” echoed in the streets. The protesters pointed a direct finger at the government’s misallocation of resources, accusing it of prioritizing terrorism, suppression, and unproductive projects over its people’s welfare.
“The regime has always targeted the pockets of retirees, irrespective of which fund or department they belong to,” expressed a disgruntled protester.
August 20—Shush, southwest #Iran
Protest rally by retirees of Shush, Karkheh, and Haft Tappeh, demanding higher pensions and basic services that the regime has denied them.#IranProtestspic.twitter.com/gnB3QKKCFW— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) August 20, 2023
Meanwhile, in Shush, a collaborative protest rally was organized by the retirees from Shush, Karkheh, and Haft Tappeh. Their collective slogans underlined their belief that the regime, as a whole, is culpable for the ongoing economic plight.
In the city of Shushtar, the protesters castigated both the government and the legislative body. Their chants, “The government betrays us, the Majlis supports it!” reverberated with anger and frustration.
One prevalent sentiment among the protesters was the regime’s persistent disregard for its own legislations. As per the government’s own framework, it is mandated to ensure that pensioners’ basic needs are met and that pensions are revised in accordance with the cost of living.
August 20—Shushtar, southwest #Iran
Retirees of the Social Security Organization hold protest rally in front of its offices, demanding higher pensions and basic services.#IranProtestspic.twitter.com/V812FVxKGq— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) August 20, 2023
Isfahan witnessed steel industry retirees raising questions about the country’s income mismanagement. “What happened to this country that had so much income?” they questioned outside the steel retirement fund offices.
Elsewhere, in Qazvin, customers of the state-endorsed Maskan-e Meli housing firm protested against escalating housing costs and unmet promises. Their grievances painted a bleak picture of unfulfilled promises to low-income families.
The capital, Tehran, too, saw a gathering of disabled citizens condemning the changes in policies pertaining to transportation services catered to them. Contrary to the provisions of the regime, these disabled individuals are grappling with economic hardships, starkly contrasting the opulent lifestyles of regime officials.
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