Sixteen Protests and Demonstrations Held Across Iran on Sunday
21-January-2025
Category: Labor and guilds، Prisoners، protesters
January 20, 2025
News Category: Protests – Pensioners – Workers and Guilds
Breathing in Confinement: On Sunday, January 19, 2025, at least 16 protests and demonstrations were held in various parts of Iran, highlighting public discontent over dire living conditions, discrimination, and injustice. These protests reflect the deep dissatisfaction of different social groups with the country’s economic and social conditions.
Details of the Protests:
Protests by Social Security Pensioners in Four Cities
Social security pensioners in Shush, Ahvaz, Kermanshah, and Rasht held gatherings or marches to protest low pensions, discrimination, and poor living conditions. Protesters chanted slogans demanding improved pensions, welfare services, and free healthcare, including:
• “Plundering the nation in the name of justice.”
• “Neither Parliament nor the government cares about the people.”
Protest by Heavy Vehicle Drivers at Parvizkhan Border
Heavy vehicle drivers at the Parvizkhan border went on strike and blocked the road in protest against low freight rates and excessive fines.
Gathering of Contract Operators at Shiraz Power Stations
Contract operators at regional power stations in Shiraz staged a protest against severe disparities in salaries and benefits compared to regularized employees.
Protests by Steel and Mining Pensioners in Six Cities
Steel and mining pensioners in Qaemshahr, Kerman, Shahrud, Isfahan, Tehran, and Ahvaz organized gatherings or marches. Their demands included implementing fair pension adjustments, supplementary insurance, and the enforcement of the October 9, 2023, reform plan.
Protesters chanted slogans such as:
• “We demand pension equalization without deceit.”
• “Steelworkers, shout for your rights.”
Protests by “Green Report Card” Teachers
Qualified teacher candidates, known as Green Report Card Teachers, protested against arbitrary and unfair evaluations that prevented their employment despite achieving academic qualifications.
Housing Project Owners’ Protest in Sirjan
Owners of the Sadaf and Maral Pishro housing projects gathered outside the Sirjan Roads and Urban Development Department, demanding the delivery of their promised lands.
Protest by Workers at Chooka Wood and Paper Industries in Rezvanshahr
Workers of the Chooka Wood and Paper Industries in Rezvanshahr staged their third consecutive day of protests due to unpaid wages.
Strike by Contract Teachers in Rask
Contract teachers in Rask County went on strike over 11 years of job insecurity and unpaid wages since the start of the current year.
Summary
The protests on January 19 reflect the widespread dissatisfaction across various social groups. From pensioners and workers to teachers and drivers, all are demanding justice, better living conditions, and their basic rights. With increasing economic pressures, the frequency of protests by different groups has significantly risen.