At Least 22 Protest Gatherings Held
On Sunday, June 12, 2022, the family of Vahid Bagheri, a political prisoner and one of those arrested during the nationwide protests of November 2019, gathered in front of Parliament. Additionally, a number of retired social security beneficiaries in the cities of Naghdeh, Bandar Abbas, Zanjan, Shush, Sanandaj, Tabriz, Shushtar, Rasht, Hamadan, Karaj, Ardabil, Arak, Kermanshah, Isfahan, Sari, Broujerd and Ahvaz assembled in front of their respective provincial Social Security Administration offices. Retired drivers of BRT bus lines gathered in front of Terminal 3 of Tehran’s Vahed Transportation Company, a number of shopkeepers in Tehran in the Amin Hoze and Jomhouri intersection areas, citizens residing in Tehran in front of the Teheranpars Electricity Distribution Company office, and a number of workers from Tehran Daru Gar pharmaceutical factory held protest gatherings for the second consecutive day in the factory premises, demanding that their demands be addressed.
According to the Hrana news agency, the media outlet of the Human Rights Activists in Iran organization, on Sunday, June 12, 2401 (Hijri calendar), the family of Vahid Bagheri, a political prisoner and one of those arrested during the nationwide protests of November 2019, held a gathering in front of Parliament.
The gathering of these citizens took place in protest of officials’ disregard for Vahid Bagheri’s condition.
Rasoul Bagheri had previously reported in an interview with Emtedad about his brother’s condition and the beginning of Vahid Bagheri’s hunger strike. On February 9, 2022, Vahid Bagheri began a hunger strike in Tehran’s main prison in protest against officials’ refusal to grant him conditional release, despite approximately one year having passed since the approval of his request by the head of the judiciary. Hrana recently reported that Bagheri’s physical condition has deteriorated significantly due to the hunger strike, with severe drops in blood pressure and blood sugar levels.
Social Security Retirees’ Gathering
According to the Free Union of Iranian Workers, on Sunday, June 12, 2401, a number of retired social security beneficiaries in the cities of Naghdeh, Bandar Abbas, Zanjan, Shush, Sanandaj, Tabriz, Shushtar, Rasht, Hamadan, Karaj, Ardabil, Arak, Kermanshah, Isfahan, Sari, Broujerd and Ahvaz held gatherings in front of their respective provincial Social Security Administration offices.
The retirees’ gathering took place in protest of the non-implementation of the Supreme Labor Council’s wage resolution and the government’s decision to increase pensions for other grades by only 10 percent.
Previously, the annual practice was that after wages were determined by the Supreme Labor Council, the Social Security Organization’s board of directors would submit the same resolution to the government, and upon government approval, the pension increase for retirees would be communicated to the Social Security Organization for implementation. However, on Sunday, June 6, 2022, the government cabinet, disregarding the Social Security Organization’s board resolution and despite a 38 percent increase resolution, increased retirees’ pensions by merely 10 percent.
Retired BRT Bus Drivers’ Gathering
According to the Syndicate of Tehran and Suburbs Bus Company Workers, on Sunday, June 12, 2401, a group of retired BRT bus line drivers held a protest gathering in front of Terminal 3 of Tehran’s Vahed Transportation Company.
Based on this report, the gathering of these citizens took place in protest of the non-payment of arduous and harmful insurance benefits (4 percent) and the full payment of their seniority rights.
Tehran Shopkeepers’ Gathering
According to the Free Union of Iranian Workers, on Sunday, June 12, 2401, a number of shopkeepers in Tehran, including those in the Amin Hoze and Jomhouri intersection areas, held a gathering and demonstration in protest of the rampant increase in taxes on the private sector.
It is reported that the protest by these citizens turned violent following the intervention of security forces.
Tehran Residents’ Gathering
According to the Free Union of Iranian Workers, on Sunday, June 12, 2401, a group of residents in Tehran held a gathering in front of the Teheranpars Electricity Distribution Company office.
The protesting citizens, chanting slogans including “Water, electricity, life are our legitimate rights,” demanded that their demands be addressed.
Daru Gar Factory Workers’ Gathering
According to ILNA news agency, a group of workers from Tehran’s Daru Gar pharmaceutical factory, a subsidiary of Daru Gar Holding, held a protest gathering in the factory premises for the second consecutive day.
The workers stated: “The reason for our protest is the uncertainty regarding production status, non-payment of wage and insurance claims, and the threat to job security due to increased tax debts, which has made it impossible to register on the unified commerce system to procure raw materials for production.”
Source: Hrana
