On Tuesday, protests over living conditions continued with strikes by employees of Iran Khodro, sit-ins by stock exchange traders, gatherings of contract telecommunications workers, and protests by nurses at Razi Psychiatric Hospital. According to reports received by Voice of America and published on social media on Tuesday, March 21, protests over living conditions were taking place in various cities across Iran amid rising fluctuations in the prices of the dollar and gold, causing turmoil in the markets and unprecedented business stagnation. Following consecutive declines in stock indices in recent days, a group of stock market traders gathered in the main hall of the stock exchange by leaving their desks. Reports indicate that the strike by stock traders was due to 'manipulation of the stock board and fake index creation,' and these individuals protested this situation by shutting down their trading systems. Simultaneously, employees of Iran Khodro went on strike 'due to lack of livelihood' and gathered in the company's premises. According to reports from the Human Rights Activists in Iran, on Tuesday, contract telecommunications workers held simultaneous gatherings in cities such as Mashhad, Piranshahr, Makoo, Mahabad, Khoy, Miyandoab, Sardasht, Chai Pareh, Salmas, Poldasht, and Urmia. Additionally, the Telegram channel Civil Protest Market reported that nurses and staff of Razi Psychiatric Hospital gathered in front of the Ministry of Health and Medical Education to protest their living conditions and demand their rights. The protests by retirees, workers in the oil and gas industries, steel and mining, teachers, defrauded investors, and nurses and healthcare workers, which have been expanding in recent years, reflect the increasing livelihood problems in Iran and the indifference of the Islamic Republic authorities. Iran's economic situation has faced multiple crises for years due to the policies of the Islamic Republic, including 'resistance economy,' leading to the collapse of the national currency, rising inflation, and severe recession. On Tuesday, March 21, one US dollar was sold for 95,280 tomans in the free market in Iran. Economist Mohammad Machinchi attributed this situation to the 'baseless idea' of Ali Khamenei's resistance economy, stating to Voice of America that this idea 'failed before it began and has imposed heavy costs on citizens,' with at least 10 million people in Iran falling below the poverty line.
Strikes in Iran Khodro and the Stock Exchange; Workers and Nurses Take to the Streets
On March 21, protests erupted in Iran as workers from Iran Khodro and stock traders went on strike due to economic hardships exacerbated by rising dollar and gold prices. Contract telecommunications workers and nurses also joined the protests, highlighting widespread discontent over living conditions in the country. These events underscore the severe economic crisis facing Iran and the government's failure to address the needs of its citizens.
👥 Key Players
📰 What Happened
On March 21, various groups in Iran, including workers from Iran Khodro, stock traders, contract telecommunications workers, and nurses, protested against poor living conditions and economic mismanagement.
- Protests were triggered by economic hardships, including rising dollar and gold prices.
- The protests reflect widespread discontent with the government's handling of the economy.
💡 Why It Matters
📚 Background
Iran has been facing a prolonged economic crisis exacerbated by international sanctions, mismanagement, and policies like the 'resistance economy.'
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