NCRI

Iran Protests: Retirees, Students, and Workers Demand Justice Amid Intensified Crackdowns

Sedighe Shahrokhi

Iran has been rocked by a series of protests over the past week as citizens across various sectors rally against systemic corruption, economic hardship, and oppressive state policies. From retirees and students to public workers, people across the country have voiced their discontent amid a backdrop of intensifying government crackdowns. The protests illustrate widespread frustration with a regime that many feel has prioritized military spending and ideological agendas over the welfare of its citizens.

October 27

In Ahvaz, retired workers protested today against inadequate pensions and soaring living costs. Gathering outside government offices, retirees expressed frustration at a regime they accuse of plundering public funds. Many retirees, dependent on fixed incomes, face the brunt of rising inflation, with basic goods and services increasingly out of reach.

In Isfahan, steel sector retirees staged a significant protest, demanding fair pensions and increased financial support. Retirees voiced concerns about their diminished purchasing power, calling on authorities to address the financial shortfalls that have plagued Iran’s retirement system.

In Kerman, retired coal miners joined the protests, rallying against low pension payouts. “Our tables are empty, enough with the broken promises!” was among the slogans chanted. The protesters criticized the government’s neglect of pension adjustments, despite promises to address their financial hardships.

Kermanshah witnessed a large turnout of retirees from the Social Security Organization demanding pension increases and assistance for basic needs. Local residents honked horns and applauded to show solidarity, with protesters chanting, “Our tables are empty, stop the wars!” These gatherings in Kermanshah and beyond underscore frustration with the regime’s financial priorities, especially as international conflicts drain resources that many Iranians feel should support domestic welfare.

In Zahedan, public transportation drivers gathered to demand fair pay and improved working conditions. Rising inflation has eroded wages, pushing many drivers into poverty. They rallied at local administrative offices, calling for government accountability and immediate wage adjustments to address their economic struggles.

Meanwhile, controversy continues to mount over discriminatory practices in Iran’s teacher selection process. Student teachers and job candidates for the Ministry of Education have accused interviewers of focusing on personal and ideological traits rather than professional qualifications. Rejections have reportedly been issued based on seemingly arbitrary criteria such as social media activity, personal grooming, and choice of attire. One candidate noted being labeled “Code 6”—a rejection without explanation—while others were dismissed for “liking” certain Instagram pages, attending mixed-gender events, or sporting certain hairstyles. This wave of rejections, which applicants have labeled as “non-professional and biased,” has forced many qualified candidates to seek explanations, with little response from the Ministry.

October 26

Students from Azad University gathered in Mashhad and Tabriz to protest restrictive policies and rising tuition fees. The students voiced their frustration with the university’s administration, criticizing the growing financial burdens placed on students and the restrictive measures impacting campus life. These protests are part of a wider trend of student activism demanding educational reforms and greater transparency in university policies.

In Ilam, housing applicants involved in the National Housing Project gathered in front of local administrative offices, demanding answers on prolonged delays. Many applicants, waiting years for promised housing, expressed frustration with the lack of clear timelines and transparency, accusing officials of incompetence and indifference toward the plight of families in desperate need of affordable housing.

October 25

Security forces in Nahbandan and Zabol, southeast Iran, targeted impoverished Baluchi fuel porters. In Nahbandan, a transporter died in a crash after a police pursuit, while in Zabol, another was fatally shot. These incidents highlight the harsh realities faced by marginalized groups who rely on fuel transport for survival, fueling anger over the regime’s continued oppressive measures against vulnerable communities.

In Sardasht, West Azerbaijan Province, border guards fatally shot a Kurdish “kolbar,” or freight carrier, as part of a broader campaign of aggression against these marginalized groups. Baluchi and Kurdish communities have long relied on fuel transport and porting due to limited economic opportunities, but they frequently face life-threatening crackdowns from security forces. These incidents have sparked outrage and sorrow, as families and communities mourn lives lost in a struggle for survival.

October 24

Retired educators in Shiraz rallied outside government buildings, demanding fair pensions and denouncing the soaring costs of basic goods. With slogans like, “We demand justice, not charity!” they highlighted their struggle to afford necessities. “I never thought I’d have to ask for installment payments to buy meat,” remarked one teacher. The protest underscored the dire economic challenges facing retirees, whose pensions have been rendered insufficient by the country’s high inflation.

Security forces demolished homes and gardens in Shida, a village east of Isfahan. Reports indicate that 18 completed gardens were destroyed, leaving residents devastated as they witnessed their property reduced to rubble. This act has drawn widespread condemnation, adding to local resentment toward the government’s heavy-handed tactics against rural communities.

In a separate development, the head of the Nurses’ Association reported on October 24 that many Iranian nurses are still waiting for wages and benefits delayed for over eight months. Some medical institutions owe up to 14 months of payments for services and additional stipends, pushing many healthcare workers into financial strain. This situation has further fueled discontent among healthcare professionals, who continue to demand prompt compensation and fair treatment.

Escalating Economic Tensions and Public Backlash

Economic turmoil continues to strain everyday life in Iran, with the value of the rial plummeting and basic goods becoming prohibitively expensive. As the dollar rate hovers around 66,000 tomans, inflation erodes the purchasing power of millions of Iranians. The government’s focus on military expenditure and political posturing has stoked public anger, especially among retirees, who must resort to installment plans just to buy essential items. One retiree in Tehran recounted, “The butcher told me to get a letter from the government for rationed meat. I have a master’s degree, and now I’m forced to beg for food.”

The protests and strikes across Ahvaz, Kerman, Kermanshah, Zahedan, Shiraz, Mashhad, and other cities underscore a pervasive sense of betrayal and frustration with the Iranian regime. With voices from marginalized ethnic communities, overworked public employees, and excluded students converging in discontent, the current wave of demonstrations signifies not only economic hardship but also a demand for human dignity and justice.

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