Protests by Retired Government Employees Held in at Least 16 Cities in Iran

On Tuesday, September 7, retired government employees and educators continued their weekly protests in front of pension funds in at least 16 cities across Iran. These protests took place in Tehran, Yazd, Ardabil, Sanandaj, Kermanshah, Karaj, Ilam, Tabriz, Qazvin, Urmia, Arak, Borujerd, Khorramabad, Zanjan, Kuhdasht, and Poldokhtar. During these gatherings, protesters chanted slogans such as 'Implementation of equalization - our legitimate right,' 'Inflation, high prices - a scourge on the people,' 'So much injustice - a nation has never seen,' 'If one embezzlement is reduced - our problem will lessen,' 'Free the imprisoned teacher,' and 'We are all united - we are tired of promises.' Additionally, slogans were directed at officials of the Islamic Republic, including 'Incompetent minister - resign, resign,' 'Raisi Qalibaf - this is the last message - the retirees' movement is ready for uprising,' and 'Until expulsion - until prison - we will stand until the end.' In this context, protesters in Ardabil demanded the release of Gholamreza Asghari, a retired teacher and activist for retirees' rights, who was arrested by government agents at his home in Ardabil before the retirees' gathering in the city. According to reports from teachers' unions, the efforts of Asghari's family and teachers in Ardabil to secure his release by Tuesday afternoon were unsuccessful. Meanwhile, the Central Committee for Pursuing Retirees' Demands criticized government policies in a resolution, stating: 'The market goes its own way and pays no attention to the fixed-income earners, especially retirees, and the inflation rate above 60% lashes hard on the shoulders of retirees.' This union added: 'When delivering the 2023 budget bill, the government promised parliament representatives that if they accepted the unjust 20% wage increase, inflation would be controlled; however, unfortunately, not only was inflation not controlled, but it also increased, leaving retirees desperate and helpless in managing a normal and minimal life with low wages and rampant inflation.' The Central Committee for Pursuing Retirees' Demands called for the realization of retirees' demands, emphasizing the need for wage increases, proper implementation of equalization, payment of all arrears, provision of effective and supportive insurance, freedom for imprisoned teachers, and cessation of legal actions against active and retired teachers. 'High prices, inflation, a scourge on the people' was the slogan of retirees in Sanandaj. The protests of retirees continued this week; the Minister of Welfare stated that there are no issues in paying retirees' pensions.