On December 10 and 11, 2024, a wave of protests spread across Iran, as workers, retirees, and teachers rallied in various cities to demand fair wages, better working conditions, and accountability for unpaid benefits. These demonstrations, fueled by economic grievances and systemic neglect, highlight growing public frustration with the government.
December 11
In Tehran, retired teachers gathered in front of the Planning and Budget Organization to demand payment of long-overdue wages and pensions. Protesters also called for the release of imprisoned teacher activists, chanting, “Imprisoned teachers must be freed.” They criticized government inaction with slogans such as, “The minister has betrayed us; the government supports it!” Some protesters extended their demonstrations into the metro system, chanting, “Iran is wealthy—what has become of it?”
More footage of the protest by retired teachers in Tehran.#IranProtestspic.twitter.com/I03XEfvQKr
— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) December 11, 2024
In Ilam, western Iran, municipal workers rallied to protest six months of unpaid wages and ten months of overdue insurance contributions. Demonstrators decried the government’s neglect and demanded immediate action to address their financial hardships.
In Ahvaz, Khuzestan Province, oil industry retirees held a demonstration, voicing dissatisfaction over delayed payments and pensions that fail to meet the rising cost of living. Similar to protests in other cities, these retirees chanted slogans emphasizing their demands for economic justice.
Retirees rallied in Ahvaz, Isfahan, Kermanshah, and Shush, chanting slogans such as, “Warmongering is enough; our tables are empty,” and “Imprisoned teachers, workers, and students must be freed.”
In Tehran, medical students from Azad University staged a protest, while Beheshti University students continued their sit-in against unsafe dormitory conditions and systemic neglect.
More footage of the protest rally by the workers of Fajr Jam gas refinery and South Pars Gas Company.
"We deserve fair wages," protesters chant.#IranProtestspic.twitter.com/UENJ7AJfaG— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) December 10, 2024
December 10
In Asaluyeh, southern Iran, contract workers from the Asaluyeh gas refinery protested low wages and poor working conditions. Chanting slogans that called out government inaction, they warned, “If the Majlis [parliament] won’t dismiss the oil minister, the workers will.” The protest underscored dissatisfaction with labor policies affecting the critical energy sector.
In Bushehr, southern Iran, employees of the Fajr Jam gas refinery and South Pars Gas Company initiated strikes and demonstrations over low wages and exploitative contract terms. Workers accused the regime of anti-labor policies and demanded immediate reforms, stating, “Fair wages are our undeniable right.” Reports indicate that this marks the second week of continued protests at the Fajr Jam refinery.
In Sirjan, southern Iran, workers from the Frico cooking oil company gathered outside the governor’s office to protest months of unpaid wages and delayed insurance. The workers, many of whom face dire financial straits, demanded immediate resolution of their grievances.
In South Pars, southern Iran, workers from the South Pars gas sector staged protests and marches, denouncing low wages and unfair labor policies.
More footage of the protest rally by workers of Asaluyeh gas refinery.#IranProtests #Iranpic.twitter.com/jxB7E1kvAx
— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) December 10, 2024
