Social Security Pensioners Protest in Several Cities in Iran: We Say Salaries are Low - Bread Prices are Rising

On Sunday, September 5, social security pensioners gathered in several cities across Iran to demand better living conditions and criticized the government and parliament. They chanted slogans such as: 'We say salaries are low - bread prices are rising.' The protests took place in Dezful, Ahvaz, Shushtar, Kermanshah, Shush, and Haft Tappeh in front of social security offices. Pensioners in Shush and Haft Tappeh displayed an empty table to illustrate their living conditions. They demanded an increase in pensions and salaries above the poverty line, access to free healthcare services, improved welfare services, and the restoration of the independence of the social security organization. During the protests, they chanted: 'From Khuzestan to Gilan - shame on the managers,' 'Their promises were good - but they were all lies,' 'Enough of oppression - our table is empty,' 'Neither parliament nor government - they don't care about the nation,' 'Our shame is our shame - our state media,' 'Embezzlement and inflation - a disaster for the people,' 'Pensioners rise up - against poverty and discrimination,' and 'Catastrophic inflation - has taken over the market.' Social security pensioners have been holding protest gatherings on Sundays for months, which are referred to as 'Protest Sundays.' Meanwhile, ILNA news agency reported that a number of steel pensioners from the Alborz West coal unit (Sangrud) protested against their poor living conditions in front of the office of the pensioners' association in Rudbar, Gilan. The protesters demanded the full implementation of the equalization law, payment of overdue claims, guarantees for the execution of healthcare commitments according to the steel regulations, and an increase in salaries for the year 1402 based on the inflation rate. The Ministry of Labor again opposed an increase in the minimum wage for Iranian workers. An economist stated that the government lacks the ability to control inflation. The Free Union of Iranian Workers reported that the violation of workers' rights has reached catastrophic levels. Protests by pensioners continued this week; the Minister of Welfare stated that there are no issues with paying pensions. Protests over living conditions occurred in several provinces in Iran; pensioners stated: 'We have handed the government over to thieves.'