Protesting Iranian Retirees, Workers Shout for “Justice, Livelihood”

Retirees, teachers and other workers staged protests in at least nine Iranian cities on July 18 to demand union rights and better living conditions amid growing anger over soaring prices.

Videos shared on social media show rallies in Ahvaz Shiraz, Hamedan, Alborz, Kermanshah, Yazd, Shiraz, Sanandaj, Ardabil, Karaj and other cities across Iran.

Most protesting retirees gathered outside buildings of the Pension Fund and governorate offices, demanding higher pensions as they struggle to meet basic needs of life.

In front of the governor's office in Ardabil, retirees chanted "Shout, pensioners! Shout for your rights!" 

"Justice, livelihood, our bold slogan" and "Inflation, high prices, disasters for people's lives," were among the slogans shouted by the pensioners demonstrating in Sanandaj.

Haft Tappeh sugarcane workers gathered in Ahvaz to protest the planned implementation of a revised job classification plan by the company, according to the Free Union of Iranian Workers.

Meanwhile, a group of educators took to the streets of Shiraz to call for the release of teachers' union activists who have been imprisoned in recent months for their support of protesters demanding more rights. 

The demonstrators chanted slogans such as "Free the imprisoned teachers," "Livelihood and dignity, our inalienable rights," and "Shout, teacher, shout for your rights." 

A large banner read: "There is no place for teachers in prison; Help them secure their rights."

Unrest has rattled Iran since the summer of 2022 in response to declining living standards, wage arrears and a lack of welfare support, as the economy deteriorated following years of mismanagement compounded by crippling US sanctions.

The death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini while in police custody in September for allegedly wearing a head scarf improperly breathed new life into the unrest.

Labor law in Iran does not recognize the right of workers to form independent unions.