Iranian nurses resumed their protest rallies in Fasa (southern Iran) and Yazd (central Iran), on Saturday, November 2, 2024, as the government refrains from addressing their demands for better wages and working conditions.
Women comprise 70% of Iran’s nursing workforce, a group that has faced systemic underpayment, censorship, and even intimidation.
A Tragic Catalyst for Change
In August, widespread protests erupted following the tragic death of Parvaneh Mandani, a 32-year-old nurse from Fars Province. Her collapse and subsequent death, attributed to extreme overwork, were reported in the media as a case of “Karoshi syndrome”—a term, traditionally associated with Japan, that has now found resonance in Iran’s healthcare crisis.
Parvaneh’s passing became a rallying cry, igniting protests that spread to more than 50 hospitals across 21 cities. Iranian nurses mobilized, demanding fair compensation and decrying mandatory overtime requirements, which often forced them to shoulder the care of up to 50 patients simultaneously.
Systemic Neglect of Nursing Tariff Law
The nurses’ demands extend beyond fair working hours. They are calling for the implementation of the Nursing Services Tariff Law, enacted in 2006, which is intended to standardize compensation based on workload and performance—a law that has largely been disregarded. Additionally, nurses seek access to occupational benefits typically granted in high-risk roles, such as early retirement after 25 years, yet these entitlements remain unmet.
Resignation and Emigration Rates Surge
The lack of governmental support has pushed many nurses to a breaking point. As of last year, approximately 1,590 nurses resigned—a figure that starkly exceeds the rate of emigration among healthcare professionals. In fact, resignations are estimated to be two to three times the emigration rate. Just in one month, over 200 nurses left the country, highlighting the urgency of this crisis.
Legality of Forced Overtime Under Scrutiny
In late September, the Iranian parliamentary Health and Treatment Committee acknowledged the surge in resignations and emigration. They recognized that imposing mandatory overtime on nurses is illegal, citing a ruling from the Administrative Justice Court. Despite this acknowledgment, no substantial reforms or compensation measures have been enacted.
Nevertheless, Iranian nurses remain resolute in their demands. They continue to call for a minimum income above the poverty line and a cap on overtime hours at 80 per month. Alarmingly, current overtime compensation is less than 50 cents per hour.
