250% Inflation on Essential Goods; Workers' Wages One Third of Poverty Line

ILNA news agency reported on Sunday, September 5, that during the two years of Ebrahim Raisi's government, inflation of at least 250% has been imposed on the livelihoods of the people, and workers' wages are one third of the poverty line. The news agency criticized the Deputy Minister of Labor Relations for opposing the increase in wages, stating that despite the inflation of essential goods and the wage gap with the poverty line, officials declare an 87% wage increase over two years as an 'achievement.' ILNA, which belongs to the Islamic Republic's Workers' House, also reported on the renewed request from 'three labor members of the Supreme Labor Council' to convene the council and reconsider the monthly minimum wage for workers, criticizing Ali Hossein Raitifard's firm statement that 'wages will not be adjusted.' The Deputy Minister of Labor Relations has definitively rejected the increase in workers' wages, while 'three labor members of the Supreme Labor Council' claim that the government ministers promised to control inflation and it was agreed that if inflation is not controlled, the minimum wage for workers would increase. Furthermore, Ali Hossein Raitifard announced the figure of 13 million tomans as the poverty line for 2023, while during last year's Supreme Labor Council meetings, the proposed figure by the three labor members for the livelihood basket or poverty line was over 18 million tomans. At that time, independent labor organizations also demanded a wage of over 20 million tomans for workers. Calculations from the Wage Committee of the Supreme Councils and statements from parliament representatives during the determination of the 2023 wage indicated that the poverty line had exceeded 22 million tomans. ILNA reported that today, the minimum poverty line in Tehran is 30 million tomans and in other cities at least 23 million tomans, and considering these figures, which are calculated very minimally for an average household of 3.3 people, the minimum wage and benefits of 9 million and 200 or 300 thousand tomans do not even cover one third of the poverty line, meaning that with a wage of 33%, the poverty line is not covered. Published statistics regarding food prices over the past two years indicate that a minimum inflation of 250% has been imposed on the livelihoods of the people. However, the Minister of Cooperatives, Labor, and Social Welfare, in response to the renewed request for wage adjustment, stated that members of the Supreme Labor Council can request a review of the minimum wage for workers, and if requested, it will be placed on the agenda. Solat Mortazavi had previously rejected any promise for a review of workers' wages, and the Administrative Justice Court also rejected the workers' complaint, stating that the determination of the 2023 wage was in accordance with the law and the workers' complaint was unfounded. Private sector drivers of Tehran's bus company protested. In response to the Minister's claims, ILNA reported: 'The minister is lying'; Ham Mihan newspaper stated: 'The statistics are fabricated.' Ignoring the request for wage review; the Minister of Labor says you should negotiate yourselves. Two days of work for one kilogram of meat; workers' food basket has become 'starch-based.' Strikes by informal workers at the Abadan refinery demanding 'wage increases' and job security.