Fifth in a biannual policy brief series, this report by Volunteer Activists delivers a concise overview of labor unrest in Iran from July – December 2024. Drawing on online interviews with local activists, verified media reports and social‑media analysis, it maps more than 577 protests in over 30 cities under President Masoud Pezeshkian’s new administration.

Key insights

• Inflation vs. Income: Rising prices far outpaced wage and pension adjustments, fueling the majority of strikes and demonstrations.
• Arrears & Working Conditions: Unpaid wages, delayed insurance benefits and hazardous workplaces remain flashpoints.
• Energy Crisis Impact: Widespread blackouts and fuel shortages deepened economic hardship, prompting further action.
• State Reaction: Reports detail intensified risks for protest leaders—ranging from dismissal to detention—as well as a mix of policy shifts and non‑judicial tactics aimed at diffusing unrest.

An essential resource for policymakers, CSOs and international donors, this policy brief pinpoints worker priorities and highlights opportunities to strengthen labor rights advocacy. Download the full report to explore detailed recommendations and country‑wide protest mapping.‍

Key takeaways from labour protests and monitoring

• Iran’s energy crisis led to disruptions in industrial activities.
• Pensioners united as one of the most vocal groups, frequently staging protests in front of government buildings and often calling for the administration to step down.
• Nurses and contract workers in the oil, gas and petrochemical sectors followed pensioners in protest numbers.
• Some independent labor unions convened their first general assemblies in years.
• Labor activists faced dismissals, salary denials, arrests and even prosecutions simply for advocating for labor rights.
• Both pensioners and nurses succeeded in forcing the government to (partially) meet their demands.
• A major incident at a Tabas coal mine—killing at least 51 miners and injuring 20—laid bare dire working conditions and sparked national outrage, prompting government action.
• In a context where independent unions are banned, many protests erupted spontaneously, while registered quasi‑governmental Islamic unions occasionally engaged in activism—particularly in influential sectors like oil.