Healthcare Workers Gather in Shiraz; Nurses Demand Wage Increases and Bonuses

News sources have reported on protest gatherings by healthcare workers in the city of Shiraz, including nurses from the hospitals in the city. According to the Telegram channel 'Civil Protest Market', these protests took place on Saturday, March 10, in 'all hospitals in Shiraz', the capital of Fars province. Based on this report, protesting nurses and healthcare staff demanded 'reform of nursing tariffs, an increase in bonuses and wages', as well as 'the elimination of mandatory overtime'. Meanwhile, one of the slogans of the protesters in Shiraz's healthcare centers was 'Incompetent officials, resign, resign'. Healthcare workers in Fars province also held a protest gathering in front of the 'Shiraz University of Medical Sciences' on March 5. Nurses in Shiraz have repeatedly gathered in front of various government institutions to pursue their demands. In one of their protests, they chanted: 'Our official is asleep, what is the patient's sin?' The Tehran-based newspaper 'Etemad', in its March 5 issue, quoted the Secretary-General of the Nurses' House, confirming the crackdown on healthcare staff, stating: 'How can a six-month suspension from work be justified when we are facing a shortage of nurses and people are suffering from this situation every day?' Iranian healthcare workers have protested multiple times over the years, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic, regarding their contractual status and compensation, demanding the establishment of appropriate employment practices and payment of back wages. The government's response to protesting nurses; protesters received a six-month suspension from service. The government's efforts to prevent nurses from emigrating; a 'Nurse Retention Package' is being drafted.