Telecommunications Pensioners Gather in 16 Cities; Security Forces Prevent Assembly in Tehran

On Tuesday, May 18, telecommunications pensioners gathered in at least 16 cities across Iran. Meanwhile, security and law enforcement forces of the Islamic Republic prevented social security pensioners from gathering in front of the Ministry of Communications building in Tehran. According to pensioners' union reports, gatherings took place in Ilam, Shahrekord, Isfahan, Khorramabad, Arak, Kermanshah, Ahvaz, Sanandaj, Zahedan, Ardabil, Bandar Abbas, Rasht, Tabriz, Mashhad, Zanjan, and Dezful. In Isfahan, the protesters chanted: 'Incompetent manager - shame on you, shame on you,' 'Pensioners shout - cry out for your rights,' 'Neither government nor parliament - they don't care about the nation,' and 'Until we get our rights - the movement continues.' In Ahvaz, pensioners also chanted: 'Parliament representative - enjoy your SUV.' This chant was related to the recent scandal involving the irregular gifting of SUVs to some parliament representatives, revealing that several institutions of the Islamic Republic have also benefited from this corruption. Meanwhile, in Tehran, security forces prevented the pensioners' gathering and arrested several of them. The Free Union of Iranian Workers reported that the detainees were released after a few hours. Telecommunications pensioners, who have previously protested the privatization of the company, are demanding the full implementation of Regulation 89, a reduction in the supplementary insurance contribution from 50% to 20%, and the payment of their welfare and food allowances. Labor strikes and protests continue as ILNA reported that 300 to 400 workers from the railway technical line and infrastructure in the Kerman region, on the Bafq - Shour Gaz Bam route, are still on strike in protest of ongoing livelihood and occupational issues and low wages. According to reports, these workers have been on strike for three days. They stated that the contractor has not paid their severance rights for about ten years and has not implemented the job classification plan to increase wages. The protesting workers mentioned that some officials had promised to address their issues, but nothing has happened so far, and the employer has not fulfilled their promises. Additionally, dozens of Abadan water and sewage workers held a gathering representing about 300 of their colleagues, demanding that their issues be addressed by the water authorities. These workers, who are official, contractual, and company staff, cited the non-payment of full wages for Esfand 1401 and Farvardin 1402, insurance, overtime, and benefits as their main problems. Furthermore, about 20 staff members from Payame Noor University in Abadan gathered at their workplace, demanding the conversion of contractual and company staff statuses, consideration of their work history, payment of 50% special bonuses, productivity, recognition of employees' educational qualifications, and salary equalization. In recent years, there have been many protests by workers, teachers, pensioners, and nurses. 'Promises are enough; our table is empty'; setting a bare table at the telecommunications pensioners' protest in Ahvaz.