Tehran BRT bus drivers go on strike and rally

Tehran's BRT bus drivers went on strike and protested on Monday, May 16.

According to the Tehran Bus Company Workers' Union, the rally took place in front of the company's central office.

Drivers and workers at the rally chanted: "Incompetent mayor, resign, resign."

Meanwhile, Mehr News Agency reported that Tehran Mayor Alireza Zakani appeared at the drivers' gathering.

The protest of bus drivers and workers is against the failure to increase their salaries.

According to the government's resolution, the wages of government sector workers will only increase by 10 percent this year, which is one of the reasons for the protest by the drivers of the Waheed Company. They are demanding an increase in the minimum wage, based on the resolution of the Supreme Labor Council, which is 57 percent.

Previously, rallies had been held by oil industry workers in response to this government decision.

The Khabar Online website reported on Monday that the BRT bus lines between the Railway-Tajrish and the South Terminal-Parkway have been inactive for several hours.

Reports published on social media indicate that the drivers' strike and the suspension of bus lines have spread to other areas of Tehran, as well as to bus repair workers.

The Tehran Bus Company Workers' Union also issued a statement on Monday condemning what it called "the framing, arrest, and publication and dissemination of lies by the Ministry of Intelligence and other repressive forces."

Referring to protest rallies by workers, teachers, retirees, and other wage earners and the arrest of a number of them, this labor organization added that "the government has resorted to the usual solution, namely repression, filing cases, arrests, spreading lies," and accusations, according to this "flagship" security organization, against detained labor and union activists.

This organization called on international labor organizations to pressure the Islamic Republic at the upcoming meeting of the International Labor Organization.

The syndicate ultimately demanded the release of Reza Shahabi, a member of its board, and other political prisoners.

Mr. Shahabi was arrested at his home by Ministry of Intelligence agents on May 12 of this year.

Source: Radio Farda