NCRI

Iran Protests: Demonstrations and Strikes Spread Across Iran Amidst Government Inaction – August 11, 2024

Mansoureh Galestan

On August 11, 2024, Iran saw a surge of protests and strikes across various regions, with citizens voicing their frustrations over economic hardships, poor working conditions, and the government’s ongoing neglect of their demands. These events come at a time when the regime is attempting to present a facade of change with its new government, led by Massoud Pezeshkian, yet the unrest on the ground tells a different story.

In Kermanshah, western Iran, pensioners from the Social Security Organization gathered in protest, decrying the inadequacy of their pensions and the government’s failure to meet their basic needs. Chanting “Shout for your rights!” the demonstrators highlighted the growing discontent among the elderly population, who are struggling to survive on meager pensions.

In Ahvaz, southwest Iran, dismissed workers from the Iran National Steel Industrial Group (INSIG) rallied in front of the governorate. These workers, left without proper compensation, demanded that the authorities address their grievances, which have been ignored for too long.

Simultaneously, nurses across the country are at the forefront of a significant and sustained wave of protests. In Karaj, northern Iran, nurses from public hospitals launched a strike to protest low wages, poor working conditions, and changes to extra work hour rules. The nurses’ demands have been consistently overlooked by officials, leading to widespread dissatisfaction and unrest within the healthcare sector.

The situation is particularly dire in Shiraz, where nurses from nine public hospitals have been on strike for a week. According to local reports, 80% of the nursing staff have joined the strike, leaving hospital wards understaffed and causing the cancellation of surgeries, except for emergency cases. The nurses are demanding higher pay, the abolition of mandatory overtime, and better working conditions, including the implementation of laws that would allow them to retire after 20 years of service due to the physically and emotionally demanding nature of their jobs.

Despite the regime’s attempts to suppress these protests, including security forces threatening striking nurses with dismissal and legal repercussions, the movement has gained momentum. In Zanjan, southern Iran, nurses held a protest rally in solidarity with their counterparts in other cities, chanting slogans such as “Incompetent officials, resign!” This sentiment reflects a broader dissatisfaction with the government’s handling of healthcare policies and its disregard for the well-being of its workers.

On August 11, in Tabriz, northern Iran, workers at the Zamzam Azerbaijan Company went on strike, demanding better wages and improved working conditions. This strike is part of a broader wave of labor unrest sweeping across the country, as workers from various industries join the growing chorus of voices protesting the regime’s economic policies and neglect.

In Jahrom, also in southern Iran, nurses from the Medical Sciences University staged a rally to protest poor working conditions, workforce shortages, and low wages. The protesters chant, “We will die but won’t accept disgrace,” underscores the deep frustration and determination among healthcare workers who feel abandoned by the system.

The regime’s harsh response has not been limited to threats and intimidation. Security forces have reportedly contacted striking nurses, labeling them as “agitators” and threatening them with dismissal and security cases. In Shiraz, some nurses have received anonymous calls accusing them of leading the strikes, further intensifying the pressure on these healthcare professionals. Despite this, the nurses remain resolute, refusing to return to work until their demands are met.

These protests expose the stark reality that, despite the regime’s attempts to present a new face with the appointment of Massoud Pezeshkian, the underlying issues remain unaddressed. The government’s ongoing neglect, combined with an increase in repressive measures, including a recent surge in executions, is fueling a growing sense of frustration and anger among the population.

As protests continue to spread across the nation, the regime’s failure to address the legitimate demands of its people risks escalating the situation further. The widespread unrest among workers, pensioners, and healthcare professionals is a clear signal that the new government’s promises are not being met with corresponding action. Instead, the people are responding with protests, making it evident that they will not be silenced or deceived by superficial alternations. The potential for these protests to evolve into larger, more widespread unrest remains high, as the Iranian populace continues to push back against a regime that refuses to listen.

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