20 April 2026
Protests return despite militarised conditions
Despite the heavy military and security atmosphere across cities, protests by different sections of workers and society are resuming. Pensioners, teachers, oil and gas workers, electricity workers, and political prisoners have all raised their voices in recent days.
Pensioners protest in Shush
On 19 April, a group of Social Security pensioners in Shush gathered in front of the Social Security office to protest the worsening living conditions and delays in implementing the wage decision of the Supreme Labour Council.
“Green Card” teachers demand employment
On the same day, “Green Card” teachers (qualified but still not officially hired) held a protest demanding formal employment in the education system and immediate clarification of their employment status.
Ilam gas refinery workers protest layoffs
On 18 April, laid-off workers of the Jahanpars Company (Phase 2 of Ilam Gas Refinery) protested in front of the Labour Office and marched toward the governor’s office, demanding reinstatement and unpaid wages.
Out of 350 workers previously employed, 150 have been dismissed since October. Their immediate demands are return to work and timely payment of wages. Reports also indicate further gatherings by dismissed workers at the refinery.
During the war, hundreds of thousands of workers in oil, steel, and other sectors have lost their jobs, while living costs have sharply increased. The Worker-communist Party of Iran emphasises the need for nationwide unity against layoffs, unpaid wages, and for immediate compensation for war damages imposed on the people.
“No to Executions Tuesdays” campaign continues
On Tuesday, 14 April, the “No to Executions Tuesdays” campaign continued across 56 prisons in the form of a coordinated hunger strike. Despite internet shutdowns and media restrictions, the protest gained attention.
This campaign opposes executions and demands an end to this form of punishment. According to reports, at least 1,639 people were executed in Iran in 2025—an increase of 68% compared to 2024. Facing the threat of collapse, the Islamic Republic is escalating repression to confront renewed uprisings.
Political prisoners protest in Urmia prison
Political and ideological prisoners held in Ward “Ershad” of Urmia Central Prison protested poor food conditions by refusing to accept their meals and returning them. The ward holds 49 prisoners who rejected the food due to its poor quality and foul smell.
Electricity workers protest wage freeze
Electricity workers, known as “yellow helmets,” have voiced their protest, stating that after 40 days of work under harsh wartime conditions, their wages have not increased. The Tavanir organisation has ordered that April wages be paid based on last year’s rates.
These workers are an active and protesting section of the labour movement and have repeatedly demonstrated against temporary contracts and poor conditions.
Factory closures and growing economic crisis
War policies by the government and its conflict with the US and Israel have led to widespread shutdowns of workplaces. Reports indicate that 90 factories in Saveh and Arak have suffered damage and halted production, resulting in mass layoffs.
Disruptions in raw material supply and structural damage have pushed workers’ livelihoods into crisis. In many factories, wages have not been paid for months. Workers at Darugar factory in Tehran have publicly protested unpaid wages of three to five months, including year-end bonuses.
Mass layoffs, delayed wages, and severe inflation are fuelling growing anger among workers. People are demanding compensation for the destruction of their livelihoods caused by a war imposed by the regime.
Society is on the verge of a new wave of protests over living conditions—continuing the January 2026 uprising that aims at the complete overthrow of this oppressive system.
Call for unity
Workers and people are protesting against the continuation of the regime’s war policies that have devastated their lives. The call is clear: organise, unite, and strengthen the movement to bring down this system.
Worker-communist Party of Iran
20 April 2026
