A number of pensioners, including retired educators, held protest gatherings on Tuesday, August 15, in the provinces of Lorestan, Ilam, Kurdistan, Ardabil, Kermanshah, and Mazandaran. Based on images and videos published on the Telegram channels of the 'Iran Pensioners Council' and the 'Coordination Council of Iranian Educators' Trade Unions', the protesters criticized the officials of the Islamic Republic in at least eight cities, including Khorramabad, Ilam, Poldokhtar, Qazvin, Sanandaj, Ardabil, Kermanshah, and Sari, by chanting slogans. Pensioners in various cities held their gatherings in front of government buildings or pension funds. Retired educators in Kermanshah chanted, 'Both Parliament and Government are lying to the people' while gathering in front of the pension fund building. Pensioners in Kermanshah also held signs such as 'When it’s our turn, the treasury is empty' and criticized the economic conditions and unfulfilled promises of the Islamic Republic officials. Retired educators in Sanandaj emphasized their demands, including the implementation of equalization, salary increases in line with inflation, and effective insurance, by chanting slogans and holding placards. Cultural pensioners in Ardabil also called for the removal of discrimination by holding signs and placards with slogans like 'Implementation of the Civil Service Law' and chanted 'Free education is our undeniable right.' The protesting pensioners in Qazvin read a statement about their 'purely professional' demands and emphasized that they are 'not opposing' and are not seeking 'political exploitation.' The continuous rise in living costs in Iran has caused a large portion of the Iranian population to fall below the poverty line. Workers, pensioners, and educators are among the groups increasingly protesting economic pressures through gatherings. The Iranian government has responded to these protests with administrative and security measures, summoning and imprisoning trade union activists. The Coordination Council of Iranian Educators' Trade Unions recently reported the forced retirement and group reduction of Lida Ismaili, a trade union activist from Alborz and Gilan. In response to these actions, this trade union council condemned the fabrication of cases against trade union activists and has consistently emphasized the legal right to organize and the freedom of legal gatherings in Iran.
Protest Gathering of Pensioners in Several Cities in Iran; 'Both Parliament and Government Are Lying to the People'
Pensioners, including retired educators, protested in multiple Iranian cities against economic hardships and unfulfilled government promises. They expressed their grievances through slogans and placards, emphasizing their demands for better economic conditions. The protests highlight the growing discontent among various social groups in Iran amid rising living costs.
👥 Key Players
📰 What Happened
Pensioners, including retired educators, protested in several Iranian cities against economic hardships and unfulfilled government promises. They expressed their grievances through slogans and placards, emphasizing their demands for better economic conditions.
- Protests occurred in at least eight cities, including Kermanshah and Sanandaj.
- Pensioners demanded salary increases and better insurance amid rising living costs.
💡 Why It Matters
📚 Background
Iran has been facing significant economic challenges, including high inflation and rising living costs, leading to widespread public dissatisfaction. Pensioners and educators are particularly affected due to their fixed incomes.
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