Strikes
One of the main features that distinguished the “Woman, Life, Freedom” protests from previous protests has been the widespread participation of the bazaar, trade unions, and workers.
The strike by bazaar merchants was concentrated in northwestern and southeastern regions of the country. Parts of the Tehran bazaar, the heart of the supply chain and distribution in Iran, have witnessed labor strikes, despite the government’s deep ties with bazaar merchants.
In total, businesses in 53 cities went on strike a total of 163 times in 82 days by closing their shops. During this period, educational centers or workshops went on strike in 33 cities with 110 protests at their premises. In addition, 14 cities were scenes of protests either at the place of study or businesses where these protests took place at least 43 times.
Factory workers in Asaluyeh Petro Chemical Refinery, Abadan Oil Refinery, Isfahan Iron Smelting, Iran Tire Rubber Manufacturing Company, as well as several truck drivers, teachers, and lawyers were among those that protested or stepped out of work for at least a day. Some workers even resigned in solidarity with the nationwide protest movement.
To break labor strikes or prevent any strikes to take hold, the Iranian government has taken several measures. As the Council of Oil Contract Workers, which organizes the protests among oil workers, announced, more than 250 workers were arrested on the 18th, 19th, and 20th of October. The government has also paid pensioners and drivers what they were owed. A meeting of protesting lawyers was also raided by the government. There were other measures taken by the government to end or prevent the strikes. Despite all the pressure exerted by the government trade unions, the bazaar, workers, and some government employees took individual actions such as resignation to demonstrate that these protests go beyond the demands of a particular social class or interest group.
In the map below, you can see how widespread labor strikes have been based on the type of businesses and the date.
