The Iranian people held nine protests over economic concerns, with many demanding unpaid wages, on Monday and Sunday. Let’s look at a quick breakdown.
Wedding Hall Owners
Roughly 40 wedding hall owners and employees gathered outside the Tehran Guilds Chamber on Monday to protest the coronavirus (COVID-19) restrictions that shutdown their place of business.
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The head of the Wedding Hall Union said that wedding hall employees, bridal gown vendors, and wedding photographers have all become unemployed.
He said: “It has been about nine months that wedding halls have been shut down, and hall owners do not have any other source of income.”
Defrauded Car Buyers
People who bought an Azvico car three years ago and are still yet to receive their vehicle (6,000 in total) held a protest outside the Industry, Mine, and Trade Organization in Tabriz to demand their undelivered cars.
Livestock Farmers
Farmers gathered outside the Judiciary in Tehran to protest the high price and scarcity of feed for their animals, which is the result of the government’s mismanagement. One farmer accused the authorities of importing meat from Brazil and not supporting Iran’s farmers, who are going bankrupt.
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Petrochemical workers
In Mahshahr, southwestern Iran, petrochemical workers rallied to demand their unpaid wages. This came two days after workers at the Parsian Gas Refinery Company in Lamerd went on strike to demand that their wages dating back to June be paid.
Family Law Protesters
Iranians gathered outside the Islamic Consultative Assembly Building in Tehran to protest Iran’s “family laws”.
Firefighters
Firefighters in Dehdasht gathered on Sunday to demand the three months’ worth of unpaid wages that they’re due.
One firefighter said: “It has been two years that I developed asthma due to work conditions. We have not received overtime payment and now it has been three months that we have not been paid our basic wages.”
Beetroot Farmers
Beetroot farmers in Naqadeh, northwestern Iran, protested outside the Soldoz Sugar Factory over non-payment for goods provided.
Oil Industry Pensioners
In Ahwaz, southwestern Iran, and Isfahan, central Iran, pensioners gathered to protest changes to the Oil Pension Fund Code, which has taken some of their pensions away. Representative Abdulsaheb Ghalebi said that because pensioners were “vulnerable, elderly and ailing” and have unemployed children, they cannot make ends meet without their pension.
Hamidieh Municipality Workers
Employees of the Hamidieh Municipality marched to demand their 15 months’ worth of unpaid salaries.
