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Hundreds in Tehran Protest 'Mismanagement' of Social Security

by Michael Lipin

   Several hundred Iranians gathered in Tehran on Monday to protest what
   they see as government mismanagement of social security funds and to
   call for the resignation of Iran's health minister.

   Iran's government-authorized national trade union -- known as Workers'
   House -- organized the protest outside the health ministry
   headquarters. Workers' House timed the demonstration to coincide with
   Iran's national day of social security, which marks the anniversary of
   the founding of its social security agency, according to the Persian
   calendar.

   The [1]Iranian Labor News Agency, which is run by Workers' House,
   posted online images of protesters holding signs and chanting slogans
   demanding government recognition of what they say is their inalienable
   right to social security benefits such as health insurance. Iranians
   contribute a portion of their salaries to a government-run social
   security system that is required by law to provide benefits to current
   and retired workers. ILNA said the protesters were angered by what they
   see as government mismanagement of those funds and a resulting
   shortfall of health benefits for workers.

   In one video clip, demonstrators also chanted for the resignation of
   Iranian Health Minister Seyyed Hassan Ghazizadeh Hashemi, whose
   ministry oversees the social security agency.

   WATCH: Iranians Protest 'Mismanagement' of Social Security

   In another clip, protesters could be seen forming a human chain around
   the social security agency building in another part of Tehran on
   Monday. ILNA said they were trying to symbolically protect the agency's
   funds.

   WATCH: Iranians Form Human Chain in Tehran

   ILNA said there was a visible Iranian police presence at the protest
   sites. It said security personnel were trying to ensure that the
   demonstrations proceeded peacefully.

   Iran has seen frequent public protests this year by citizens who accuse
   local and national officials and business leaders of mismanagement,
   corruption and oppression.

   This report was produced in collaboration with [2]VOA's Persian
   Service.

   Michael covers international news for VOA on the web, radio and TV,
   specializing in the Middle East and East Asia Pacific. Follow him on
   Twitter [3]@Michael_Lipin

References

   1. http://bit.ly/2mnwdmI
   2. https://ir.voanews.com/
   3. https://twitter.com/Michael_Lipin