According to the Workers’ Rights Defenders Association (WRDA), in 2019 many strikes broke out in Iran over outstanding wages and unpaid benefits. Due to the international context and the pressure it exerts on Iranian society, it is estimated that some 1,262 firms are faced with financial problems in the country while 1,093 firms have paid their workforce with considerable delays or still have not paid
them after several months. In 31 provinces, there are firms that are faced with delayed payments. Overall, 130,413 workers across the country have not received their payment for more than a month. A breakdown by province shows that Tehran tops the list with 17,271 workers from 30 firms who have not received their salaries.
WRDA also reports that more than 1,000 strikes, walkouts, road blockades and work stoppages were organised in a variety of sectors. The armed forces were sent by the authorities to curb, often violently, these protests.