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Iran Protests: Widespread Demonstrations Across Cities on October 8, 2024, as Workers and Retirees Demand Rights

On October 8, protests broke out in multiple cities across Iran, as workers, retirees, and families rallied against economic hardships, unpaid wages, and government mismanagement. Demonstrations occurred in Kermanshah, Bushehr, Marivan, Isfahan, and Lamerd, reflecting the growing unrest amid the country’s ongoing economic struggles. 

In Kermanshah, retirees from the public sector, including teachers, gathered outside the National Retirement Fund office, demanding better pensions and an end to corruption. They chanted slogans such as, “My prosperous Iran, what happened to you?” and “Free imprisoned workers and teachers!” Protesters also called for free education and the fair distribution of wealth, signaling their deep frustration with the government’s failure to address their needs. 

In Bushehr, workers from the South Pars Gas Complex held their tenth consecutive weekly protest. Despite efforts by security forces to suppress the gathering, workers continued to demand better wages, job security, and the implementation of long-promised labor rights. Bushehr Province plays a critical role in Iran’s energy sector, and the persistence of these protests highlights the deepening discontent among the workforce responsible for maintaining the country’s crucial energy infrastructure. 

In Marivan, Kurdistan Province, municipal workers, joined by their families, protested unpaid wages in the courtyard of the municipal building. The workers and their families, facing severe financial hardships, demanded their wages be paid without further delay. The presence of family members underscored the impact of economic issues on local households. 

In Isfahan, city bus drivers protested against reductions in their diesel fuel rations, which have severely impacted their ability to earn a living. Similarly, in Lamerd, Fars Province, workers from Lamerd Cement Company gathered outside their company’s headquarters to protest months of delayed wages, placing them under significant financial strain. 

Meanwhile, in Piran Shahr, West Azerbaijan Province, security forces fatally shot Hussein Kamalnia, a kulbar (freight carrier), who was transporting goods across the border to support his family. Kulbars are individuals who carry goods on foot between Iran and neighboring countries due to a lack of economic opportunities in Kurdish regions. Kamalnia, 38, was severely beaten after being shot and died from his injuries at a hospital in Piran Shahr. Another kulbar, Fardin Qalash, was critically wounded in the incident and transferred to a hospital in Urmia. 

These protests, alongside ongoing economic difficulties and reports of state violence, reflect the growing desperation among Iranian workers and retirees. As inflation rises and wages remain stagnant, the protests signal a broader demand for accountability, justice, and basic economic rights across the country.