Retirees across Iran rally against government’s ignorance of deteriorating living conditions

By
Staff Writer
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Protests flared in cities all over Iran on Monday and Tuesday, led by retired government workers and former employees of the telecom industry.
Protests flared in cities all over Iran on Monday and Tuesday, led by retired government workers and former employees of the telecom industry.

 

The demonstrators voice concerns over worsening living standards as they grapple with the regime’s neglectful policies.

These protests took place in major cities such as Mashhad, Kermanshah, Tabriz, and Tehran, among others. Over the past few years, retirees have loudly voiced their concerns over dwindling living conditions. With surging inflation rates and a volatile rial, Iran’s national currency, the costs of basic goods have soared. Yet, the pensioners’ stipends have remained stagnant.

In Mashhad, telecom retirees assembled outside the local Telecommunication Company of Iran (TCI) offices, urging for improved pensions and fundamental rights. The crowd chanted, “We will not stop until we get our rights!” echoing sentiments of determination. Their signs highlighted the silent stance of the government, Majlis, and judiciary towards the pleas of the retirees.

 

 

The grievances of these protesters date back over a decade. A 2010 law mandates a raise in pensions for retirees of the state-run telecom company, a law yet to be fully realized.

Elsewhere, in Kermanshah and Tabriz, retirees demanded the law’s implementation. They were heard chanting, “The implementation of the law is our right!” and “Have some shame and implement the law!”

Zanjan’s retirees questioned the telecom industry’s financial practices, with its massive revenues barely benefiting its retirees. With every change in administration, promises are made to these pensioners, only to be broken later.

 

Regime authorities, particularly those within the telecom sector, have come under fire. Majid Soltani, the CEO of TCI since 2020, and a former lead of the State Security Forces’ technology and communications wing, is known for prioritizing regime and IRGC interests over employee and retiree rights. Mahmood Ebrahimzadeh, the chairman of the board of the telecom company, has consistently withheld overdue wages.

Tuesday also saw government retirees staging organized protests across multiple cities. Like their telecom counterparts, they too have been marginalized by the government’s detrimental policies.

 

 

Ahvaz’s protesters boldly proclaimed the regime’s inertia, stating that taking matters into their hands is the only way forward. Placards read, “Rise for your rights retirees!” and “We will only get our rights in the streets!”

The general sentiment suggests the government’s hesitancy in enforcing its own laws regarding wage adjustments and retirees’ rights.

In Karaj, government retirees drew attention to rampant corruption with their chant, “One less government embezzlement case and our problems will be solved!” This illustrates the deep-seated corruption infiltrating governmental entities, even those designed to care for long-serving individuals.

Support for arrested activists was a clear subtext, with chants in Tehran and Kermanshah demanding the release of incarcerated educators.

 

 

In a parallel narrative, defrauded customers of the state-backed Arvan Khodro carmaker protested in Tehran. The company, along with other state-supported car manufacturers, has been accepting down payments but failing to deliver vehicles, igniting fury among the populace.

 

 

 

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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