Telecommunications Retirees Protest in 11 Provinces of Iran

On Tuesday, October 3, telecommunications retirees continued their protests against the unmet demands from the Islamic Republic authorities by holding demonstrations in at least 11 provinces across Iran. For several months, telecommunications retirees have been gathering in front of telecommunications company offices every Tuesday. According to images released by the Telegram channel of the Free Workers Union of Iran, a group of telecommunications retirees from Gilan province gathered in Rasht. In Kermanshah, retirees protested in front of the telecommunications company, chanting slogans such as 'The enemy is the retiree, the manager is indifferent' and 'We will come every Tuesday until we get our rights,' while holding placards demanding the full implementation of regulation 89/24 and supplementary insurance. In Ahvaz, the capital of Khuzestan province, retirees also protested, shouting slogans like 'The implementation of the regulation is our undeniable right,' 'Promises are enough, our table is empty,' 'Incompetent manager, resign, resign,' 'We have heard so many lies, we have not seen a happy day,' 'Inflation and high prices have become our bane,' 'The retiree's fridge is emptier than before,' 'No compromise, no surrender, death to this oppressor,' 'We will not rest until we get our rights,' 'We have seen no justice, only deceit,' and 'No compromise, no surrender, death to these oppressors.' In addition to the telecommunications retirees' protest, Ahvaz also witnessed a demonstration by Social Security retirees. The Social Security protesters carried placards and shouted slogans such as 'Free healthcare is our undeniable right' and 'Our enemy is right here, they lie that it's America.' In Shiraz, the capital of Fars province, a group of telecommunications retirees gathered again in front of the telecommunications company, demanding the resignation of the telecommunications managers and the full implementation of regulation 89/24 and supplementary insurance. In Ardabil, retirees held a protest demanding the full implementation of regulation 89/24. In Khorramabad, a group of retirees called for the full implementation of regulation 89/24 and 'the establishment of monthly provisions and welfare benefits.' In Isfahan, retirees addressed the authorities and institutions of the Islamic Republic, stating that they would continue their protests until their rights were realized, with one of the slogans being 'Our rights can only be achieved on the streets.' In Markazi province, retirees held a protest in front of the telecommunications company, again demanding the full implementation of regulation 89/24 and the full payment of arrears after 13 years. In Tehran, protesting retirees gathered in Andisheh Park, chanting 'The major shareholder has eaten our rights.' During this protest, one telecommunications retiree was arrested by law enforcement officers and released after the gathering ended. In Zanjan, retirees again gathered at the telecommunications company, holding placards and demanding the full implementation of regulation 89/24 and attention to their demands. In Kurdistan, retirees shouted slogans such as 'Incompetent manager, shame on you' and 'Oppressive shareholder, shame on you,' demanding the full implementation of regulation 89/24. Siamak Javadi, a financial economics professor at the University of Texas, stated to the Persian section of Voice of America that the Islamic Republic has 'infected all members and dimensions' of Iran like a systemic disease.