Thousands of workers across Iran held coordinated demonstrations on 10 December 2025, with the largest in Tehran, where roughly 1,000 contract workers from the oil, gas and regional electricity sectors gathered outside parliament demanding the implementation of a job-status conversion plan approved nearly two years ago. Protesters said the clerical dictatorship has failed to enforce the law, leaving contract workers without job security, adequate benefits or fair pay.
Participants accused the government of intentionally delaying reforms and highlighted worsening living conditions amid high inflation. Workers from other state institutions joined the rally, underscoring widespread frustration with stalled legislation intended to eliminate intermediary contracting firms.
Welfare and telecommunications employees decry “subsistence-level” wages
Social-welfare employees also protested outside parliament on 10 December, warning that their salaries no longer meet basic living costs. Several told domestic media that even with 15–16 years of experience and postgraduate qualifications, they earn about 17 million tomans per month. One employee said her official base salary is 13 million tomans, supplemented by 4 million in benefits, adding that the total “does not cover essential expenses.”
Telecommunications workers in Shiraz held a simultaneous protest over months of unanswered demands for wage adjustments and job security. One employee said staff felt abandoned by authorities, remarking that workers asking for basic rights had instead faced threats while struggling to support their families.
Importers warn of an 11-month currency freeze
Earlier in the day, rice importers gathered outside the Ministry of Agriculture in Tehran, protesting an 11-month delay in receiving government-allocated foreign currency required for importing essential food supplies. Participants said the freeze has disrupted business operations and jeopardized the availability of staple goods.
Additional labour unrest across multiple provinces
Protests and strikes also took place across the country in the last few days:
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Asaluyeh: More than 5,000 contract workers across 12 South Pars refineries held a major strike and protest on 8–9 December.
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Shadegan: Steel workers continued a strike for a third day on 8 December.
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Ahvaz: Residents demonstrated against severe air pollution on 8 December.
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Karaj (Mahedasht): Farmers and orchard owners rallied on 10 December over economic pressures.
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Tehran (9 December): Students and university-entrance candidates protested council decisions they said harmed disadvantaged applicants.