Iran saw 455 labor protests across 34 sectors in 83 cities from January to June 2025, driven by soaring inflation and wage stagnation. The report highlights escalating unrest, intensified by the June Israeli attacks, and tracks legal developments, offering vital insights for policy and advocacy efforts supporting Iranian workers.
1. Relentless Wave of Nationwide Labor Protests
In the six-month period covered by this report, more than 80 protests and strikes have occurred monthly in at least 25 Iranian cities. These protests span across retirees, truck drivers, farmers, bakers, heavy industry workers and public service personnel, indicating a collapse in even the minimum standards of job-related welfare in the country.
2. Anti-Worker Legislative Reforms
New regulations, such as amendments to the hazardous and arduous jobs directive, have been passed contrary to workers’ interests. These changes restrict early retirement and transfer the authority to assessjob difficulty to institutions not representing workers, such as the Social Security Organization.
3. Infrastructural Crisis and Job Insecurity
Power outages, production disruptions, and incidents like the explosion at Shahid Rajaee Port have placed workplace safety and job security in a state of crisis. Industrial workers, farmers, and bakers have become victims of infrastructural mismanagement.
4. Increased Security Crackdowns
Labor activists got severely targeted and protests often met with government repression. For instance, the strikes by truck drivers and farmer protests were met with widespread arrests and heavy-handed security responses. More than 40 drivers were detained during the recent truck drivers’ strike.
5. Wartime Living Conditions
Following Israeli attacks on Iran some workers were killed or got severely injured due to attacks by Israel, companies were forced to shut down.
6. Economic Crisis and Decline in Purchasing Power
Despite rampant inflation, the minimum wage for workers remained around $200 per month — a figure drastically lower than the actual cost of living (estimated at $255 to $325 per month). Currency instability and industrial recession have worsened this economic decline.
1. Practice Self-Care and Collective-Care
In the current context of heightened tensions and conflict, union activists must prioritize both individual well-being and collective resilience. Encourage rest, mutual support, and the sharing of mental health resourcesto sustain long-term activism under pressure.
2. Adapt Activities to the Realities of Wartime
Traditional forms of organizing may invite securitization and repression in times of war or heightened conflict.Adjust methods of engagement to minimize risks, such as shifting toward low-profile or decentralized forms of activism, while still advocating for labor rights.
3. Promote Constructive Social Dialogue
Even amidst instability, pursuing social dialogue is essential. Push for constructive engagement withemployers, local authorities, and community leaders to maintain a focus on labor welfare and preventlabor issues from being sidelined in national emergencies.
4. Expand Conflict Management and Resolution Capacity
Equip union members with tools and training in nonviolent conflict resolution and crisis communication. Strengthening these skills can reduce internal tensions and foster solidarity in diverse and sometimes dividedworkplaces.
5. Strengthen Solidarity Across Sectors
In times of division, unity is a strategic asset. Proactively build alliances with workers from different industries, professions, and backgrounds. Joint actions and shared platforms can increase visibility and effectiveness.
6. Deepen International Connections
Leverage relationships with international labor unions and organizations to amplify the voices of Iranian workers. These connections can provide strategic advice, advocacy channels, and protection through international pressure.
7. Support Migrant Workers and Uphold Inclusive Labor Rights
Show active solidarity with migrant workers, especially vulnerable groups such as Afghan laborers. Emphasize that labor rights are universal, and build inclusive campaigns that reflect the diversity of the working class in Iran.
Meanwhile, to ensure that workers’ rights can be upheld as much aspossible in times of renewed conflictwith Israel or the U.S. – as well as in times of an economic crisis– the Iranian government could considerthe following:
1. Establish a “National Labor Crisis Insurance” Mechanism for Formal and Informal Workers
A new independent body should be created under the High Council ofLabor to cover exceptional situationssuch as war, sanctions, natural disasters, or sudden economicshocks. This institution must be supportedby predictable funding sources (e.g., public budget allocations, ashare of oil revenues, or wealth taxes)and operate transparently to distribute wage insurance andunemployment subsidies to affected workers.
2. Mandate Government-Supported “Wage Subsidies” to Prevent Layoffs
In times of national crisis, the government should directly pay aportion of workers’ wages to preventbusinesses from downsizing. This model, implemented in countriessuch as Germany, Japan, and Turkey,helps preserve jobs during emergencies. For example, the governmentcould cover 30–70% of monthlywages for a period of six months to a year.
3. Suspend Tax and Insurance Obligations for Small and Medium Businesses in Affected Areas
The government should immediately halt tax and social insurancecollections from small businesses in crisiszones and grant temporary exemptions. As many tourism operators,restaurants, guesthouses, and digitalplatforms face severe downturns, additional financial pressurecould lead to widespread closures and joblosses.
4. Strengthen Field Inspections and Launch a “National Labor RightsViolation Reporting Platform
”The Ministry of Cooperatives, Labor, and Social Welfare shouldestablish a public platform where workers30canreport unlawful dismissals or unpaid wages directly and quickly. On-siteinspections in large enterprisesmust also be intensified.
5. Enforce the Right to Reemployment Post-Crisis in Accordance withArticle 30 of the Labor Law
Employers who shut down factories or production units during war orcrisis must rehire the same workersonce operations resume, as mandated by Article 30 of the Labor Law.The government must ensure thisprovision is enforced and take legal action against violators.
6. Provide Emergency Relief to Households with No Income Due to Waror Layoffs
In collaboration with local NGOs and municipalities, the governmentshould deliver immediate livelihoodaid—including food baskets, shopping vouchers, or targeted cashtransfers—to workers who lose their jobsduring the crisis. These supports must go beyond the ineffectivemonthly credit subsidy model and directlyaddress households’ daily needs.
7 Create a Dedicated Support Fund for Platform Workers and Emerging Job Sectors
Given that platform workers (e.g., ride-hailing drivers, onlinesellers, freelancers) are excluded from traditionallegal protections, the government must establish an independentfund to support them during emergencies.Funding could come from special levies on large online platforms orinternational assistance.
8. Impose an “Emergency Layoff Ban” on Corporations with StableRevenue or State Support
Companies receiving direct or indirect government financialsupport—including airlines, mining andpetroleum firms, and tech companies—must be legally barred fromlaying off employees during crisisperiods. Violation of this ban should carry substantial financialpenalties.
9. Develop a “National Job Retraining Plan” for Laid-Off Workers
The government should fund intensive training programs to helplaid-off workers acquire new technical,digital, or vocational skills through public and private trainingcenters. This initiative can facilitate quickerreentry into the job market and reduce the psychological toll ofunemployment.
Meanwhile, to ensure that workers’ rights can be upheld as much aspossible in times of renewed conflictwith Israel or the U.S. – as well as in times of an economic crisis– the Iranian government could considerthe following:
1. Establish a “National Labor Crisis Insurance” Mechanism for Formal and Informal Workers
A new independent body should be created under the High Council ofLabor to cover exceptional situationssuch as war, sanctions, natural disasters, or sudden economicshocks. This institution must be supportedby predictable funding sources (e.g., public budget allocations, ashare of oil revenues, or wealth taxes)and operate transparently to distribute wage insurance andunemployment subsidies to affected workers.
2. Mandate Government-Supported “Wage Subsidies” to Prevent Layoffs
In times of national crisis, the government should directly pay aportion of workers’ wages to preventbusinesses from downsizing. This model, implemented in countriessuch as Germany, Japan, and Turkey,helps preserve jobs during emergencies. For example, the governmentcould cover 30–70% of monthlywages for a period of six months to a year.
3. Suspend Tax and Insurance Obligations for Small and Medium Businesses in Affected Areas
The government should immediately halt tax and social insurancecollections from small businesses in crisiszones and grant temporary exemptions. As many tourism operators,restaurants, guesthouses, and digitalplatforms face severe downturns, additional financial pressurecould lead to widespread closures and joblosses.
4. Strengthen Field Inspections and Launch a “National Labor RightsViolation Reporting Platform
”The Ministry of Cooperatives, Labor, and Social Welfare shouldestablish a public platform where workers30canreport unlawful dismissals or unpaid wages directly and quickly. On-siteinspections in large enterprisesmust also be intensified.
5. Enforce the Right to Reemployment Post-Crisis in Accordance withArticle 30 of the Labor Law
Employers who shut down factories or production units during war orcrisis must rehire the same workersonce operations resume, as mandated by Article 30 of the Labor Law.The government must ensure thisprovision is enforced and take legal action against violators.
6. Provide Emergency Relief to Households with No Income Due to Waror Layoffs
In collaboration with local NGOs and municipalities, the governmentshould deliver immediate livelihoodaid—including food baskets, shopping vouchers, or targeted cashtransfers—to workers who lose their jobsduring the crisis. These supports must go beyond the ineffectivemonthly credit subsidy model and directlyaddress households’ daily needs.
7 Create a Dedicated Support Fund for Platform Workers and Emerging Job Sectors
Given that platform workers (e.g., ride-hailing drivers, onlinesellers, freelancers) are excluded from traditionallegal protections, the government must establish an independentfund to support them during emergencies.Funding could come from special levies on large online platforms orinternational assistance.
8. Impose an “Emergency Layoff Ban” on Corporations with StableRevenue or State Support
Companies receiving direct or indirect government financialsupport—including airlines, mining andpetroleum firms, and tech companies—must be legally barred fromlaying off employees during crisisperiods. Violation of this ban should carry substantial financialpenalties.
9. Develop a “National Job Retraining Plan” for Laid-Off Workers
The government should fund intensive training programs to helplaid-off workers acquire new technical,digital, or vocational skills through public and private trainingcenters. This initiative can facilitate quickerreentry into the job market and reduce the psychological toll ofunemployment.