On September 16, protests broke out across various cities in Iran, with retirees, workers, and families taking to the streets to demand better living conditions, fair wages, and government accountability. These protests highlight the growing discontent within the country as citizens struggle under worsening economic conditions exacerbated by inflation and mismanagement.
In Tehran, retirees and pensioners from the education sector gathered in front of the Program and Budget Organization to protest the regime’s neglect of their demands. They expressed frustration with low pensions and the government’s failure to provide for their basic needs.
Families of autism patients organized a rally in front of the Welfare Organization in Isfahan, protesting the government’s lack of support for their medical and financial needs. The demonstrators called for urgent intervention to provide the resources required for autism care.
September 16—Tehran, Iran
Retired teachers and employees of the education sector rally in front of the Program and Budget Organization, protesting low pensions and lack of basic needs.#IranProtestspic.twitter.com/agEulaBJRh— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) September 16, 2024
In Mahshahr, workers from the Petrochemical Terminals and Storage Facilities staged a protest over several unaddressed issues. They called for the implementation of employee status changes in line with neighboring companies, full payment of their PetroCard benefits, restoration of deductions from productivity bonuses, and the implementation of the job classification plan for contract workers.
In Ahvaz, retirees from the Telecommunications Company of Iran (TCI) gathered to protest the regime’s disregard for laws mandating pension increases by rising living costs. The protesters, who have been holding regular rallies, voiced their grievances over the failure to adjust their pensions and improve their living conditions.
September 16—Urmia, northwest Iran
Retirees and pensioners of the Telecommunications Company of Iran rally in front of the provincial headquarters of TCI to protest low pensions and poor living conditions. #IranProtestspic.twitter.com/NnWLUAbRNI— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) September 16, 2024
Retirees and pensioners from the Telecommunications Company of Iran rallied in Sanandaj, also demanding higher pensions and condemning the poor living conditions they face. The widespread protests across the city marked a significant expression of dissent on the anniversary of the 2022 uprising sparked by the killing of Mahsa Amini.
Tabriz saw similar protests by TCI retirees, who resumed their rallies against low pensions and poor government response. They demanded the government fulfill its promises and alleviate their worsening living conditions.
September 16—Tabriz, northwest Iran
Retirees of the Telecommunications Company of Iran (TCI) resume rallies to protest low pensions and lack of response by the government.#IranProtestspic.twitter.com/oi1hgU6i2i— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) September 16, 2024
In Urmia, pensioners from the Telecommunications Company gathered outside the provincial headquarters, raising concerns about their insufficient pensions and the regime’s indifference to their plight.
The wave of protests extended beyond specific grievances from retirees and workers in the telecommunications sector. Across Kurdistan, including Meriwan, Bijar, and Sanandaj, citizens gathered in solidarity with broader calls for justice and reforms. In Mahshahr and Boushehr, workers from the oil and gas sector also demonstrated, protesting issues such as unfulfilled contract obligations, unfair bonus deductions, and job classification issues. Employees from the Fajr Jam Gas Refinery in Boushehr marched with demands for fair treatment, chanting slogans such as “Employment contracts must be implemented, illegal deductions must be canceled.”
September 16—Mahshahr, southwest Iran
The workers of Mahshahr Petrochemical Terminals and Storage Facilities rally to protest the failure to implement the employee status changes in line with neighboring companies, non-payment of the PetroCard, deductions from productivity… pic.twitter.com/36yEKjktfg— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) September 16, 2024
The protests, fueled by economic despair and decades of government mismanagement, continue to highlight the growing divide between the Iranian population and the regime. Citizens from various sectors—retirees, contract workers, and vulnerable families—have united in their demands for fair treatment and government accountability. As the regime continues to disregard their calls, the protests are likely to persist, reflecting the increasing dissatisfaction with the leadership’s handling of the country’s economic crisis.
