Iranian Workers Call For Continuation Of Protests

Three trade associations issued a joint call for the continuation of the Woman, Life, Freedom movement marking the occasion of International Workers' Day and Teachers' Day in Iran.

The associations also called for the expansion of a charter advocating for the minimum demands of Iran's trade and civil associations.

The groups include the Coordination Council of Iranian Teachers' Trade Associations, the Syndicate of Workers of Tehran and Suburbs Bus Company, and the Free Union of Iranian Workers.

The Women, Life, Freedom movement began in 2022 following the death of Mahsa Amini while in custody for “improper” hijab. Subsequent protests resulted in over 500 deaths at the hands of the Iranian regime.

The groups also voiced strong opposition to the enforced hijab policy under Iran's Noor Plan, which they labeled a "declaration of war against the people," affirming women's rights to choose their lifestyle freely.

Since April 13, the initiation of Noor plan has led to numerous incidents of violent interactions between law enforcement and plainclothes officers with women opposing the mandatory hijab.

The statement comes amid restrictions on independent labor gatherings in Iran, where only regime-affiliated group assemblies are permitted. The signatories condemned what they described as "double oppression" faced by Iranian women.

Meanwhile on Wednesday, a group of retirees and pensioners held a protest in front of the Social Security Organization buildings in the cities of Arak, Kermanshah, Mashhad, and Tehran.

One of the main demands of the retirees is an increase in pensions in line with inflation, a request that has been made during numerous protests in previous years, but so far, the Islamic Republic authorities have not taken any action in this regard.

Workers of the Haft-Tappeh Sugarcane complex also marked the occasion by holding a gathering titled "Unity, Solidarity, and Struggle".

Workers in Iran are currently facing economic difficulties, with the minimum cost of living in Tehran estimated at 300 million rials (about $500) and in other cities at 200 million rials (about $350), while the minimum wage for the current year has been set at about 110 million rials (about $190).

Various cities in Iran have witnessed labor protests in recent months, facing crackdowns by security forces and arrests of labor activists.