By Kayhan Life Staff
The nationwide strike by Iran’s truck drivers—the hardworking backbone of the country’s service sector—began on May 21 as a protest against harsh working conditions, worsening living standards, crushing inflation, and years of unmet demands. Now in its seventh day, the strike has spread to 125 cities across the country.
The truckers’ plight reflects the struggles of all workers and the broader population. Their challenges include meager incomes, skyrocketing prices and scarcity of spare parts, exorbitant maintenance costs, dangerous and often deadly roads, unaffordable insurance with inadequate services, long delays or complete non-payment for freight jobs, endless waiting times for loading, exploitation by intermediaries and transport companies, and extreme working conditions.
For instance, since March, driver insurance premiums have surged by more than 220%, now costing 3.3 million tomans monthly—without any corresponding improvement in healthcare services.
Meanwhile, the commission taken by freight brokers has risen from 13% to a staggering 45%, even as freight rates for drivers remain unchanged. As a result, drivers are being pushed to the brink, often navigating roads where their lives are constantly at risk.
Another source of their anger is the deadly explosion in Bandar Abbas, where fellow drivers were killed in a fire tied to mismanagement, with no clear accountability or investigation.
In its statement, the National Union of Iranian Truck Drivers and Transport Workers declared: “We will no longer tolerate this injustice.”
Despite threats, security pressures, and even violent crackdowns, the strike continues with unity and strength. Although initially announced for a week, drivers warned they would escalate their protests if authorities ignored their demands.
Drivers emphasize that payment delays lead to direct losses for them, and they demand compensation for downtime. They urge all drivers—whether operating trucks, buses, or dumpers—anyone who risks their life on the road each day—to join the strike.
They ask:
Are you unaffected by our struggles—heavy insurance costs, diesel shortages, inflated prices for parts, and dangerous roads?
Key demands and grievances include:
– Insufficient income and soaring costs (repairs, tires, spare parts, tolls)
– A significant cut in fuel subsidies (from 3,000 liters to 500 liters)
– Visa and international work permit issues due to sanctions
– A 220% increase in social security premiums without improved healthcare coverage
– Dangerous and poorly maintained road infrastructure
– Non-payment or delayed payment for deliveries
– Exploitative intermediaries and excessive freight commissions
We salute the striking drivers and declare:
Dear comrades, your pain is ours.
Price hikes, insecurity, poverty, corruption, repression, theft, and exploitation—these are shared burdens for all workers and the oppressed.
One of the country’s most significant crises is the widespread power outages that have paralyzed daily life, triggering a surge in inflation, unemployment, and extreme poverty. Authorities are now warning of complete blackouts next month. These are the people’s grievances. The nationwide protests by bakers also stem from these very issues: when fuel is cut or becomes unaffordable, prices soar, and bakers are unjustly blamed for the cost of bread.
Truckers are crushed by the “freight mafia.” Bakers are crushed by the “bread mafia.” And all workers and people suffer the consequences.
We, the undersigned, declare:
We wholeheartedly support the truck drivers’ strike and their just demands. We condemn any form of repression or attack against them.
Unity against poverty and corruption.
A general strike is our solution.
1. Retirees’ Alliance
2. Kermanshah Electricity & Metal Workers’ Association
3. “Stop the Executions” Campaign
4. Teachers’ Union Challenge of Iran
5. Justice Seekers Collective
6. Iranian Retirees’ Council
7. Nurses’ Protest Organizing Council
8. Contract Oil Workers’ Protest Organizing Council
9. Informal Oil Workers’ Protest Organizing Council (Third Party)
10. Defenders of the Rights of the Child
11. Voice of Iranian Women
