Jan 26 2021

On January 25, Iranian citizens held at least five rallies, marches, and strikes, protesting the regime and state-run employers. In their protests, impoverished people pursued their inherent rights.

Shareholders, nurses, preschool educators, farmers, and railroad workers took to the streets, insisting on their basic rights. The continuation of social and economic grievances shows the general wrath that exists against the regime’s failures, heralding further protests in the future.

Rally of Shareholders

Tehran province—staff of cooperatives affiliated with the government-backed Saham-e Edalat (Justice Stocks) from different provinces traveled to Tehran and held a rally in front of the Privatization Organization. They protested officials’ failure to pay their arrears.

Protesters said that they have not received their salaries, insurance rights, and the expenditures of Saham-e Edalat’s subsidiary companies since March 2018.

Rally of Shiraz Central Hospital Nurses

Fars province—nurses of Shiraz Central Hospital (private hospital) held a rally, protesting systematic injustice and low salaries. “Long live justice,” chanted protesters at the hall of the hospital.

“Despite medical staff’s pursuance, the hospital’s officials refuse to implement a directive for increasing healthcare workers’ salaries,” protesting nurses said.

“Given the coronavirus outbreak, in the past year, medical and health staff have experienced hard and fluctuated conditions in all hospitals, clinics, and health centers. We urge officials of private hospitals to provide this stratum’s necessities and demands,” a nurse said.

Rally of Fired Preschool Educators

Khuzestan province—a group of fired preschool educators in Baghmalek county, east of the province, held a rally in front of the local Governorate.

Preschool educators demanded officials return them to work and put an end to their unclear job conditions. Notably, due to the regime’s mismanagement, many preschool educators and members of the Literacy Movement have lost their careers. In this regard, the government, and local officials have done nothing to ease these people’s dilemmas.

Rally and March of Isfahan Farmers

Isfahan province—farmers of Isfahan city’s eastern areas gathered yet again in Khurasgan Square to voice their protest against the government’s horrible decisions. Notably, due to chaotic allocations of privileges and the diversion of the Zayandehroud River—the province’s main river, farmers face water shortage and drought.

As a result of the government’s mismanagement, farmers’ productions face annihilation despite their hard work for months. Furthermore, the water shortage has prevented farmers from beginning their spring planting.

On January 25, farmers along with their family members held a rally at Khurasgan Square, then marched and chanted justice-seeking slogans, venting their anger over the regime’s irresponsibility.

“Return farmers’ water right, environment, and Gavkhouni wetland—the most prominent wetland in central Iran,” farmers had written on a placard.

“Death to the deceitful government,” “Woe of betrayal, shame on the officials,” and “Woe of this water shortage, ties officials to a carriage,” chanted farmers, demanding their water right and justice.

Strike of Railroad Workers

Markazi province—for the third consecutive day, railroad workers of Arak Joush Gostar company continued their strike. Workers extended their strike despite employers’ threats of dismissal.

“We have yet to receive our salaries for three months. Today, we have been threatened with dismissal. [Employers] would like to fire workers with 15 years of experience and replace them with Afghani workers—who receive lower salaries due to their immigration conditions,” protesters said.

“Former managers of Arak Railroad have divided workers’ rights among themselves. Otherwise, why did [the company] change two managers in one year and in one area? We are 180 workers, and today, the employers have threatened us by saying, ‘We will work until Nowruz—Iranian new year—with 100 workers.’ They exploit workers like slaves, then threaten and give no rights to workers. What kind of justice is this?” said the workers.

Source » irannewsupdate