An Official Attributes 'Mandatory Overtime' and 'Substandard Services' as Reasons for Nurses' Strike

The head of the board of the country's emergency medical association announced that emergency services are not up to standard and that the number of active ambulances on the roads is insufficient. He stated that standards have not been met, and the workload on staff is excessive, which is the main reason for the nurses' protests. Reza Ghorabagh, citing a shortage of emergency personnel and 'imposition of mandatory overtime' as one of the most significant issues facing emergency workers, mentioned that the most critical problem is the imbalance between the number of nurses and patients. According to Ghorabagh, the issues in the emergency sector are exacerbated due to the lack of ambulances, equipment, and bases. This official emphasized that this situation places additional pressure on emergency and hospital staff, endangering patients' lives. The statements from this member of the country's emergency medical association indicate that there are very few ambulances in Iran, disrupting service to the public while the problems faced by nurses persist. These issues, as Ghorabagh noted, are not just about unpaid wages; nurses are protesting against mandatory overtime and its very low compensation. Nurses and healthcare staff in public hospitals have intensified their protests and strikes since mid-August, emphasizing the realization of their professional and livelihood demands in at least 16 provinces of Iran. Reports indicate that several protesters have been arrested on charges of 'disturbing the peace.' In this context, the U.S. Department of State and the International Council of Nurses (ICN) expressed concern on September 8 regarding the 'unjust arrest and conviction' of protesting nurses in Iran. The U.S. Department of State and ICN, in separate responses to Michael Lipin, a reporter for Voice of America, called for the peaceful protests to be recognized by the Iranian government. A spokesperson for the U.S. Department of State announced that the department is closely monitoring the protests of nurses and healthcare staff in Iran and expressed concern over reports of the 'unjust' arrest and conviction of many protesters in these peaceful demonstrations. Other images from the protest gathering of nurses and emergency staff in Isfahan show that the next step for them is a strike. The protests and strikes of nurses in Iran continue, with security forces seeking to confront the protesters. The Iran Human Rights Campaign reported that Iranian officials have dealt with nurses in violation of international commitments. The U.S. Department of State and the ICN expressed concern over the arrest of protesting nurses in Iran. Protests by nurses and emergency personnel have occurred in at least nine cities in Iran, with several protesters arrested in Bushehr.