According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, a number of protests took place this week in Iran, many of which were continuations of ongoing movements. Read our recap below for details, photos, and videos from the demonstrations.
Saturday, January 8
Families of the victims of a crashed Ukranian plane shot down by an IRGC missile assembled to commemorate the second anniversary of the crash. The families held protests at Imam Khomeini Airport as well as the site of the crash, near Shahedshar. They asked that justice be served and that the proprietors of the incident be taken to trial. In the early hours of January 8, 2020, Flight 752 was hit by a missile sent by regime military forces. After a few days of covering up the cause of this incident, the regime admitted that the plane was hit by a missile shot from an anti-missile defense base.
In at least 53 cities across the country, personnel of the Ministry of Justice assembled to protest against low wages and the failure to pass a bill that would allow them to receive extra payments. In addition, attorneys in various cities assembled and went on strike. Dozens of Arak Prison personnel went on strike and refused to perform daily prison duties in protest against three months of unpaid wages.
A number of manufacturers in an industrial zone in Jolfa City held protests to express disapproval with a new tax regulation whereby value-added tax has increased by nine percent.
A group of truck trailer drivers assembled in front of parking lot in Mamaqan City. For more than a week, these drivers have been on strike for wage demands. According to the protesters, the Iran-Khodro Company has contracted out their truck trailers to private companies. These contractors have imposed lower wages on these drivers.
Following a previous call, a number of bus drivers working for the Tehran and Suburbs Bus Company held protests and went on strike by driving slowly and with their headlights turned on. Their demands include readjusting the Job Classification Plan, receiving a four percent employer contribution for health insurance without disruption and receiving housing benefits. Reportedly, company security and management hindered some drivers from taking their buses and joining the protest.
Sunday, January 9
For the second consecutive day, personnel of the Ministry of Justice assembled to protest against low wages and the failure to pass a bill that would allow them to receive extra payments.
A group of the victims of financial fraud by the financial institution Caspian held a protest in front of the Central Bank building in Tehran. After five years, Caspian has still not returned the victim’s investments, including profits and loss.
A number of the retirees using the Fulad Company’s pension fund assembled before the pension fund offices in the cities of Ahvaz and Isfahan to ask for their demands. They also objected national television’s refusal to report on their protests and issues.
Dozens of injured veterans of the Iran-Iraq war held protests in front of the Foundation of Martyrs and Veterans Affairs in Tehran in protest against their poor living conditions. Police agents used force to scatter the protesters.
Monday, January 10
A group of medical school applicants assembled in front of Parliament in Tehran to ask for their demands regarding the entrance exam.
A number of transport workers involved with the Karun 3 Dam project held protests before the Khuzestan Water and Power building.
A group of contractors contracted with Mashhad Municipality assembled before the municipal building to protest against a year of unpaid wages.
A number of residents of Mojen City in Semnan Province assembled before the Ministry of Justice in Semnan City. They protested against the ways land assignment in an area (known as Tangeh Esmal) in their jurisdiction.
Dozens of workers at petrochemical complex Marun went on strike and assembled on company premises to protest against low wages and poor living conditions.
A group of retired personnel of the police department in Ilam City assembled before the Social Security Organization. They asked to implement a plan to close wage disparities.
In Urmia City, city bus drivers went on strike to protest against a failure to extend their contracts. Reportedly, in December of 2020, drivers under contract with private companies assembled to protest the companies’ failure to address their issues. At the time, the Chairman of Urmia City Council promised that unpaid wages would be paid in several parts. After two installments, however, they stopped payments and drivers once again went on strike.
A group of workers of the Qeshm Oil Terminal project held protests at their workplace to demand fulfillment of three months of unpaid wages and to protest against low wages.
A group of citizens who have not received their pre-purchased cars from the Saipa Diesel manufacturing company after years held protests in front of company headquarters.
Tuesday, January 11
A number of female social workers working at a women’s shelter in Shush City assembled before the municipality building. Recently, this institution has received an eviction order from the courthouse. The municipality has cut off water to this centre.
A group of personnel of the Water and Water Waste Company in Aghajari City assembled before the company’s office to demand their eight months of unpaid wages.
Wednesday, January 12
Dozens of workers working on the Shafa-Rud Dam project in Gilan Province assembled in front of the governorate building. They asked that 7 months of delayed payments and 4 months of unpaid employers’ contribution for insurance be paid.
Thursday, January 13
In response to a call by the Coordination Council of Iranian Teachers’ Trade Associations, retired and working teachers and educators in more than 74 cities across the country held protests before the building of the Ministry of Education (and before the parliament in Tehran). They demanded the implementation of a plan whereby teachers’ income, depending on a ranking, will be raised up to 80% of faculty members’ salaries.
