Thousands of retired teachers, many coming from other cities, joined a march along a busy street in Tehran to Iran’s parliament, the Majlis, Nov. 20, above, demanding an increase in their pensions. It was one of the largest labor protests in Iran in years.
Teachers across the country have joined the weekly protests going on for over a year by retirees from government agencies and steel, sugar, oil and other industries, demanding higher retirement pay. Some actions have also called for the release of imprisoned union leaders.
The “Fifth Development Plan” law passed by the Majlis in 2011 instructed the government to increase pensions to match rising prices. Another law passed said pensions should equal 90% of the wages in workers’ job category. But teachers say the laws haven’t been implemented and the monthly payment they get barely lasts a week. The government claims it doesn’t have the money to implement the laws.
“Our demand is clear: just enforce the law now!” “Government officials, have some shame, stop denying our rights!” were among the most popular chants.
The government is putting the burden of the capitalist economic crisis and the cost of its military adventures in the region on the back of working people.
The government’s Mizan News Agency says bread prices have gone up 50% in Tehran over the last few months, while some reports say it has doubled. Jahan Sanat, a business newspaper, says that prices are increasing at 32% a year overall.
Even the government-affiliated Workers House complains that approved wage and pension increases don’t come close to making up for inflation.
The latest retiree actions take place as the government is threatening to launch a new assault on Israel. But the regime’s war moves, unpopular among most working people, won’t bring a halt to the protests.