As Protests Escalate, Government Agencies Intensify Efforts to Encourage Retirees and Workers to Vote

Simultaneously with the efforts of the Islamic Republic's propaganda apparatus to encourage workers to vote for government candidates, a government union representative claimed that the working community expects the 'future government' to comply with Article 41 of the Labor Law regarding wage increases. Additionally, according to Ali Zand, an inspector of the government organization 'Supreme Council of Islamic Labor Councils of the Country', the criteria for wage increases should be 'inflation and the household livelihood basket', as well as decisions made by the Supreme Labor Council 'based on the principle of tripartism'. According to ILNA news agency, Ali Zand claimed that workers' demands to prevent the exploitation of labor include 'revival and creation of job security and the permanence of contracts'. This union activist spoke about the results of privatization and the 'unqualified shareholders' of factories, stating that this method results in nothing but 'abandonment and privatization of national and human capital' and must be 'addressed and reconsidered in the future government'. Zand emphasized that 'the dissolution of contracting companies is one of the solutions for ensuring fair workers' rights', stating that fair wages are a fundamental demand of workers and retirees. He considered excessive imports and smuggling a serious threat to the prosperity of production units and workers. It is worth mentioning that Islamic labor councils are government entities that, by reflecting workers' demands in the current situation, seek to encourage workers to vote for government candidates for the presidency. Meanwhile, in another report from ILNA, the head of the country's Planning and Budget Organization announced the approval of an executive regulation for 'adjusting retirees' wages' and promised that an amount would be deposited as 'an advance' to retirees. He stated: 'In the coming days, an amount will be paid as an advance to retirees so that after the issuance of decrees, final settlement can be made.' It should be noted that the coming days refer to the few days leading up to July 8, the time for determining a replacement for Raisi. Government candidates for the presidency are also trying to attract the most active street protesters and election boycotters by making promises regarding workers' and retirees' demands. Saeed Jalili has promised that 'workers' wages should go into their own pockets, not into the pockets of intermediaries.' Baqer Qalibaf has also claimed that under his government, 'workers' and employees' wages will increase in accordance with inflation.' Alireza Zakani promised that 'in the first year of the government, retirees' wages could be equal to those of active workers, receiving 90% of their salaries.' Masoud Pezeshkian echoed Qalibaf's sentiments, claiming that 'the disparity between inflation and wage increases is an injustice done to workers and employees. With this, this class becomes poorer day by day.' The effort to attract workers and retirees comes as economic protests in Iran continued on Sunday with retiree gatherings in several provinces, denouncing the election propaganda of government candidates to replace Ibrahim Raisi and take the presidency, and strikes by thousands of workers in Khuzestan; protesters in Kermanshah chanted 'We saw no justice, we will not vote anymore.' According to reports received by VOA and published on social media on Sunday, July 3, protesting retirees held simultaneous gatherings in at least Tehran, Kermanshah, Khuzestan, and Isfahan provinces, chanting against the election propaganda they deemed 'lies'. In Tehran, retirees from the Social Security Organization held a protest, emphasizing that 'our rights can only be obtained on the streets.' In the Kermanshah retirees' gathering, slogans included 'The debate was good, but it was all lies, we saw no justice, we will not vote anymore', 'The son of the rich is American, the inflation belongs to us', 'Forget the hijab, think about us', 'Down with slavery, long live life', and 'Imprisoned teacher must be freed'. Inflation and rising prices in recent years have increased the livelihood problems of a large segment of Iran's population, and economic experts warn of a worsening situation for people's livelihoods this year. The expansion of protests among various groups, including retirees, workers from various industries, teachers, and healthcare workers, indicates increasing livelihood problems in Iran and the indifference of Islamic Republic officials.