This report examines 406 labour protests across 70 worker sectors in 74 Iranian cities over six months, revealing a fourfold increase in protest activity from April to June compared to the previous year. Detailed analysis shows diverse protest forms—from marches and strikes to online campaigns—and highlights key findings: 7 teacher activists arrested, 16 workers in prison, and widespread suppression of union activities, even as the government makes selective concessions. Comprehensive data from interviews, media reports, and social media monitoring offers actionable insights into the evolving challenges and capacities of Iran’s labour movement, supporting targeted policy responses and international advocacy efforts.

Key takeaways from labour protests and monitoring

• A’s research foundthat from April to June 2023, the number of protests rose fourfold comparedwith the same period in 2022.
• Dozens of trade unionand labour activists were fired, denied salaries and arrested and prosecutedduring the past six months just for trying to assert trade union and labourrights.
• While the intensity ofthe government’s suppressive tactics continues to hamper labor protests inIran, labour protests were on the rise in several economic sectors, includingoil, public sector, railway maintenance and cargo transport.
• The Iranian governmentis actively pursuing numerous legal changes that impact labor rights in Iran,with implications that can be both positive and negative.
• Besides labourprotests addressing sector-specific issues, there were also protests regarding broaderlegislative issues, including those concerning the setting of the minimum wage.
• Public campaignslaunched in conjunction with other organizations, such as women‘s groups, haveserved as platforms for collaboration, bringing together labor unions andvarious stakeholders to work towards common goals.
• By adopting innovativeorganizational strategies and implementing more effective actions, Iranianlabor unions have the potential to inspire greater successes.
• Iranian workers acrosssectors have increased cooperation online, using public statements and protestcampaigns to disseminate their grievances and demands, such as February’sCharter of Minimum Demands.
• The internationalcommunity can help Iranian CSOs, including by putting pressure on the Iraniangovernment in meetings of international organizations to allow independenttrade unions in Iran and by stimulating foreign press coverage on Iranian laborstruggles