On February 3, 2025, telecom retirees protested in 14 Iranian cities over unpaid benefits and pension rights, while workers in Tabriz went on strike against low wages. The unrest is fueled by economic hardships and government inaction. Demonstrators express a commitment to ongoing protests until their demands are met, revealing deepening dissatisfaction with the regime’s handling of economic issues.
On February 3, 2025, telecom retirees across Iran initiated widespread protests in various provinces, coinciding with industrial workers in Tabriz who went on strike. These actions reflect escalating unrest due to economic hardships and inadequate governmental responses. Protests occurred in at least 14 cities, including Tehran, Tabriz, Shiraz, and Kermanshah, demonstrating the pervasive dissatisfaction with Iran’s socio-economic landscape.
The telecom retirees’ protests arose from ongoing issues related to unpaid benefits and pension entitlements linked to the privatization of the telecommunications sector. Demonstrators gathered outside telecom offices waving banners with messages like “Telecom Company, fulfill your promises!” and “Where is my right? Thirteen years have passed!” Their resolve to continue protesting weekly until their demands are met highlights their frustrations.
In Tehran, protestors directly challenged the government’s narrative regarding the economic crisis, chanting, “Our enemy is right here, they lie when they say it’s America!” This statement reflects widespread disapproval of the government’s attempts to attribute Iran’s economic failures to external factors. They also condemned the involvement of major state-affiliated financial entities in worsening their living conditions.
Amid these protests, a significant demand is the implementation of Article 89 of the Pension Regulation, which aims to enhance pension benefits. Protestors accuse management of delaying payments despite ongoing financial burdens on retirees. Similar economic difficulties were evident among workers in Tabriz from Charkheshgar Company, who went on strike protesting low wages and poor working conditions.
The ongoing demonstrations underscore the intensifying financial crises within Iran, aggravated by mismanagement and rampant inflation. Workers are calling for salary adjustments to match inflation increases while also demanding overdue payments. Past responses from authorities often included intimidation rather than addressing the workers’ core concerns.
Despite governmental disregard for retirees’ demands and unfulfilled promises for pension reforms, protestors remain steadfast in their commitment to continue demonstrations. Such actions reveal a broader trend of mobilization among laborers and pensioners who are increasingly vocal against the regime’s policies and perceived failures in governance, further complicating the ruling establishment’s positioning as economic pressures mount.
The protests reflect deep-seated economic grievances among various marginalized groups in Iran. Telecom retirees have been particularly vocal about issues concerning pension rights amid the privatization of their industry, while industrial workers face challenges related to wages and working conditions. Economic mismanagement and inflation have exacerbated public dissatisfaction, contributing to a growing wave of protests.
In conclusion, the protests on February 3, 2025, reflect a significant mobilization of both pensioners and workers in Iran, driven by economic hardships and frustrations with the government. The continuation of weekly protests signifies a sustained demand for better economic conditions and labor rights as public sentiment increasingly turns against the regime’s narrative regarding the sources of Iran’s economic struggles.
Original Source: www.ncr-iran.org