On October 13, 2024, protests continued across Iran as workers, retirees, and educators rallied against unpaid wages, low pensions, and poor working conditions. Demonstrations took place in several cities, reflecting the growing dissatisfaction with the regime’s handling of the economy.
In Tehran, literacy educators gathered in front of the Ministry of Education, demanding to be promoted to official teaching positions. These educators have been pushing for recognition and benefits that come with full employment status. In another protest in Tehran, more than 5,000 retired educators assembled in front of the Budget and Planning Organization. They voiced their opposition to new ranking rules and protested unpaid wages, calling for justice and better compensation.
In Isfahan, retirees of the steel industry took to the streets, demanding higher pensions and their basic rights as guaranteed by the regime’s own laws. Protesters expressed that their current pensions are insufficient to meet their daily needs.
October 13—Tehran, Iran
Literacy educators rally in front of the education ministry, reiterating their demands to be promoted to official teachers.#IranProtests pic.twitter.com/lfP7YscM68— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) October 13, 2024
In Shush, Khuzestan Province, retirees and pensioners from the Social Security Organization gathered to demand higher pensions and access to essential services. Protesters highlighted that their pensions only cover one week of living expenses, underscoring the financial difficulties faced by retirees in southwest Iran.
Taxi drivers from Wireless Taxi Service 133 in Kashan staged a protest, demanding fair compensation and better working conditions. Rising fuel prices and reduced fuel rations have severely impacted the drivers’ ability to earn a living.
In Qazvin, housing investors gathered in front of government offices to protest the failure to deliver on promised housing projects. Many had invested their money into these projects years ago but have yet to receive the homes they were promised, leaving them financially strained.
Workers of the Lamerd Cement Company in Fars Province protested outside the governor’s office, demanding the payment of delayed wages. These protests are part of a broader labor movement across Iran as workers face increasing economic hardship.
More than 5,000 retirees of the education sector attended today's protest rally in Tehran in front of the Planning and Budget Organization.#IranProtests pic.twitter.com/WWCh6sYDfJ
— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) October 13, 2024
In Kerman, retirees of the coal industry held a demonstration to demand the payment of overdue wages and pensions. Many of these retirees, who spent decades working in difficult conditions, expressed frustration with the government’s neglect of their basic rights.
On October 12, in Tehran, a group of students preparing for the 2025 university entrance exam (Konkoor) held a protest to voice their concerns about issues related to the examination system. The students gathered to demand changes that would ensure fairness and address their educational needs.
In Izeh, personnel of the Water and Sewage Company (Abfa) went on strike, protesting the non-payment of wages for the past three months. Workers claimed they are owed around 300 million tomans in back pay dating back to 2020. The workers gathered in front of the company’s office, demanding immediate action from authorities.
October 13—Tehran, Iran
Retired educators rally in front of the Budget and Planning Organization, protesting new ranking rules and unpaid wages.#IranProtestspic.twitter.com/6CE6wP5PP0— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) October 13, 2024
In Bafgh, Yazd Province, workers of the Central Iron Ore Company extended their strike, which began earlier in the month. Despite attending Friday prayers in an attempt to negotiate with management, the workers left in protest after their demands for wage increases and better working conditions went unmet.
Meanwhile, in Khuzestan Province, Faleh Saadi, a 48-year-old seasonal worker from the Haft-Tappeh Sugarcane Company, tragically passed away on October 12 after attempting self-immolation in protest of his employment conditions. On October 10, Saedi set himself on fire after his contract was not renewed, leaving him jobless. He had suffered burns covering 50% of his body and died in Ahvaz’s Taleghani Hospital. The Independent Workers’ Channel for Haft-Tappeh accused company management of corruption, blaming them for Saadi’s death due to their failure to provide stable employment and fair treatment.
The protests across Iran illustrate the growing economic crisis and dissatisfaction among workers, retirees, and other vulnerable groups. As inflation rises and wages remain unpaid, more citizens are taking to the streets, demanding accountability and better living conditions.