Mar 30 2021

From March 22 to 28, the people of Iran staged at least six rallies and protests in various cities despite the national holidays of Nowruz, the new year in the Persian Calendar. In other words, the regime’s horrible plundering and oppressive policies compelled citizens to take to the streets even during the holiday period.

Shopkeepers, petrochemical workers, poultry farmers, locals, Haft-Tappeh workers, and water staff staged these rallies. In some cases, protesters extended their rallies for several consecutive days as a sign of their determination to obtain their inherent rights. Furthermore, people in Khuzestan province had the lion’s share in the above-mentioned protests.

Shopkeepers’ Protests

Isfahan province—on Monday, March 22, a group of shopkeepers in the Golpaygan district protested Deputy Provincial Governor of Isfahan Hojjatollah Gholami for failing to manage the coronavirus crisis.

“Now, we obey by directives and shut down our shops. We are the citizens of this city and close the shops. However, we expect you to hold a meeting after shopkeepers’ collaboration,” said a merchant, adding, “You should not remain idle until the city once again becomes a red zone. I believe that the people are not responsible for turning the city into a red-zone area. This is the outcome of weak management in cities.”

Rally of Fired Petrochemical Workers

Ilam province—on Tuesday, March 23, fired workers of the petrochemical plant held a rally in front of the Provincial Governorate. They protested officials’ indifference to follow up their demands.

“Divide forces in refineries, petrochemical plants, and oil well in Bijar, Mehran oil company, and Dehloran,” said protesters.

Rally of Poultry Farmers

Khuzestan province—on Saturday, March 27, a group of poultry farmers held a rally in front of the Agricultural Organization in Ahvaz, the province’s capital.

Poultry farmers have faced enormous dilemmas in recent weeks, pushing them to hold several protests and rallies in different cities. Back in February, a group of poultry farmers held a rally in front of the new building of the Agricultural Ministry in Tehran. They wanted to visit the minister and express their anger directly.

The problems of providing poultry feed, high expenditures of poultry farms, and the ministry’s failure to purchase farmers’ products at an appropriate price led these people to protest. “Until 5:00 pm, the minister did not visit them,” protesters said.

Rally of Local People

Khuzestan province—on Saturday, March 27, a group of residents in Seydoun city in Baghmalek county, held a rally in front of the local Governorate. They protested officials’ failure to ensure the lives and financial security of these impoverished people.

“We the people of Seydoun city do not have life and financial security,” protesters had written on a banner addressing Khuzestan’s provincial judiciary chief and attorney general.

Rally of Haft-Tappeh Workers

Khuzestan province—on Sunday, March 28, workers of Haft-Tappeh Sugarcane Complex staged a gathering in front of the Security Bureau for the second day in a row.

They protested employers for reducing the contracts’ terms from one year to six months, and from six months to three months. Protesters also blamed the complex managing board for refusing to close new contracts and for dismissing the workers.

Rally of Water Staff, Day 7

Khuzestan province—for the seventh consecutive day, several rural staff of Ahvaz Water and Sewage Organization held a rally in front of the Provincial Governorate at Palestine Street. They protested officials’ failure to pay their overdue salaries and insurance rights and clarify their recruitment conditions.

In recent weeks, these workers had time and again gathered in front of the government offices, protesting officials’ indifference toward their dire living conditions.

On the other hand, citizens suffer from a lack of basic infrastructure regarding water and sewage, and numerous people, particularly children, have lost their lives due to open canals and health and hygienic issues every year.

For instance, on January 10, the semiofficial ISNA news agency reported that several people in Ahvaz had been infected with the Hepatitis A virus due to the mixing of potable water with sewage.

Source » irannewsupdate