Gold merchants go on strike in the cities of Isfahan, Najaf Abad, Tabriz and Urumiyeh to protest tax increase

Iranian people from various walks of life including workers, employees and merchants continue to protest in cities across Iran against the rising unemployment, poverty, high prices and the economic policies of the regime.

A number of the latest such protests are:

– Gold merchants in cities of Esfahan and Najaf Abad(central Iran), Urumiyeh and Tabriz (northwestern Iran) launched a strike to protest the latest increase in Value Added Tax (VAT). The gold merchants in city of Najaf Abad continue their strike that began on Saturday, May 17.
In city of Isfahan, gold merchants and jewelry sellers in Imam Ali Square, Honar Bazaar, Imam square and other part of the city closed their shops.
The gold merchants in Urumiyeh and Tabriz also have joined the strike in  recent days. The gold merchants believe that the VAT increase would make people less inclined to buy gold and also would make gold lose its function as an capital asset.
– Petrochemical workers in city of Mahabad continue their strike that had begun on May 14 protesting inappropriate working conditions and non-payment of their wages.
– A group of bus drivers in the city of Urumiyeh gathered outside the governorate office on Wednesday, May 21,  protesting an increase in fuel price and the inappropriate bus rental regulations.
– On Wednesday, May 21, a group of residents of Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari  province gathered outside the office of state environment organization in city of Shahr-e-Kord to protest the construction of a water transfer tunnel which they believe causes the water to dry in wells in Ardal and Kohrang townships and consequently the unemployment of some 40,000 people.
– The contracting employees at the Industry, Mining and Trade Organization in Tehran gathered on Tuesday, May 20, outside the regime parliament to protest the failure to renew their contracts and demand clarification on their employment status.
– A group of teachers in city of Nahavand protested demanding a refund for the amount of money that had been deducted from their monthly wages on the pretext of insurance payment. 
– A group of residents in the city of Marivan in Kurdistan Province gathered on Monday, May 19, protesting passage of large tanker trucks through the city. They prevented the trucks from passing through the city. Fearing the spread of protest, suppressive State Security Forces (Police) unsuccessfully tried to disperse people.

Secretariat of the National Council of Resistance of Iran
May 23, 2014