On February 19, protests and strikes erupted across multiple cities in Iran, as workers in the oil, petrochemical, textile, telecommunications, and railway industries staged demonstrations over unpaid wages, job insecurity, and worsening economic conditions. Protests were reported in Tehran, Bushehr, Shiraz, Mahshahr, Borujerd, and Chabahar, highlighting growing labor unrest in the country.
In Bushehr, southern Iran, contract workers at Fajr Jam Gas Refinery held a strike, demanding direct contracts, job security, and fair wages. They chanted: “A worker dies but does not accept empty promises!”, a slogan echoing across several protests.
In Shiraz, southern Iran, workers at Iran Telecommunications Manufacturing Company (ITMC) gathered to protest five months of unpaid wages. Despite years of demands for timely salary payments, management has repeatedly failed to meet their commitments. Workers also complained about unfair wage disparities compared to employees in similar industries.
February 18—Makran, southeast Iran
Second day of strikes by workers of Negin Petrochemical Company, protesting wages that have been delayed for four months.#IranProtestspic.twitter.com/vKexbXXRc3— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) February 18, 2025
Meanwhile, in Mahshahr, southern Iran, employees at Bandar Imam Petrochemical Holding joined the wave of strikes, citing poor living conditions and economic distress. Similarly, in Tehran, workers at Petro Niroo Saba, a contractor for Karoun Petrochemical, walked off the job due to three months of unpaid salaries, while in Chabahar, southeastern Iran, workers at Negin Makran Petrochemical went on strike over four months of delayed wages.
Textile workers in Borujerd, western Iran, continued their ongoing strike since February 15, demanding overdue payments. The Iranian Free Workers’ Union reported that some textile workers have been unpaid for months, with previous protests ignored by factory owners and government officials.
Additionally, railway maintenance workers in Azerbaijan Province protested against unpaid insurance and salary benefits, demanding immediate action from authorities.
February 18—Bushehr, southern Iran
Contract workers of Fajr Jam Gas Refinery staged a protest, demanding better wages and working conditions.#IranProtests pic.twitter.com/0U0yDXljn3— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) February 18, 2025
The latest labor unrest follows a wave of protests by university students, including demonstrations at Allameh Tabatabai University in Tehran, where students expressed solidarity with workers while protesting government mismanagement and repression.
Amid Iran’s deepening economic crisis, inflation, rising costs, and stagnant wages have fueled nationwide discontent. Despite growing security crackdowns, strikes and demonstrations continue to spread, signaling mounting frustration with the regime’s failure to address workers’ demands.