Protest Gathering of Social Security Retirees in Four Cities of Iran

A number of social security and state retirees gathered on Wednesday, June 14, in four cities: Ahvaz, Ardabil, Shiraz, and Kermanshah. The main demands of the protesters, as in previous months, focused on improving the living conditions of retirees. In Ahvaz, retirees gathered in front of the Khuzestan governorate, carrying placards in support of Farzaneh Zilabi, a lawyer for workers and retirees in the province, and chanted: "Inflation - a scourge on the people," "We want nothing but our rights - we do not want government handouts," "Oh enemies of the people - where is the control of inflation?", "Zilabi Zilabi - we support you," and "Honorable lawyer - we support you." Ms. Zilabi, who has represented workers, social security retirees, and some teachers in recent years, has been sentenced to one and a half years in prison by the Revolutionary Court of Ahvaz on charges of "propaganda against the regime," "gathering and collusion," and "insulting the leadership." In Kermanshah, retirees also demanded the full implementation of the equalization bill, payment of salaries in line with current inflation, and other overdue demands. Protesters in Ardabil also called for their rights and chanted slogans including "Retiree shout out - voice your rights," "Implementation of equalization is our legitimate right," "Imprisoned teacher must be freed," and "Imprisoned worker must be freed." The rising inflation and increasing living costs have led to the formation of protest gatherings among low-income groups, including workers, retirees, and teachers in recent years. These protests have intensified in recent months. Most recently, a group of telecommunications retirees protested on Tuesday, June 12, in at least 16 cities in Iran due to the lack of response to their demands. According to reports from retirees' organizations, these gatherings were held in Tehran in front of the Ministry of Communications, and in the cities of Zanjan, Shiraz, Dezful, Tabriz, Arak, Mashhad, Zahedan, Ahvaz, Shahr-e Kord, Rasht, and Yasuj, in front of the telecommunications offices of these cities. Telecommunications retirees have held weekly protest gatherings on Tuesdays in recent months. Economic protests have so far gone unanswered by the authorities of the Islamic Republic, and some of these gatherings have turned violent in recent months due to security forces' assaults and the arrest of protesters.