Hadi Tahan-Nazif, spokesperson for the Guardian Council, announced today, Tuesday, February 23, that the 20% increase in salaries for employees and pensioners has been approved by the Guardian Council as part of the 2024 budget review. Experts and labor activists interpret the approval of the 20% salary increase for employees and pensioners as a pretext for the opposition and resistance of employer representatives and the government in determining the minimum wage for workers and their insistence on a 20% increase. Previously, Somayeh Golpour, president of the Supreme Council of Labor Associations in Iran, recognized by the Islamic Republic, stated to the Tasnim news agency on December 1 that 'even a 30% increase in wages is still lower than the inflation rate and does not meet the people's expenses.' In this context, four labor organizations and groups emphasized the necessity of fighting for wage increases in a joint statement on January 26. They invited all workers to 'struggle for a minimum wage of 45 million tomans per month in their workplaces and in society.' While the minimum wage is less than 10 million tomans, various sources have reported that the minimum cost of living in Tehran is over 30 million tomans and in other cities around 20 million tomans. Professions and industries are becoming vacant; 50% of workers have informal jobs. An activist stated: 'The arrears of disability pensions have not yet been paid.' The government and parliament accuse each other; a government official stated: 'The inflationary effects of budget changes will grip society.' The Ministry of Health considered the 46% increase in medical tariffs as 'compensating for the lag behind inflation.' The consequences of abnormal wages; workers remain unemployed but do not work for low wages. Four labor organizations and groups stated that the monthly wage for workers next year should be 45 million tomans. The low wage is a major factor driving skilled Iranian workers to migrate to neighboring countries.
20% Wage Increase for Workers Confirmed; Guardian Council Approves Salary Increase for Employees and Pensioners
The Guardian Council has approved a 20% wage increase for employees and pensioners, but labor activists argue that this is insufficient compared to the rising cost of living. They are calling for a minimum wage of 45 million tomans, highlighting the disparity between current wages and living expenses. This situation reflects ongoing tensions between labor rights and government policies in Iran.
👥 Key Players
📰 What Happened
The Guardian Council approved a 20% wage increase for employees and pensioners as part of the 2024 budget, but labor activists argue this is insufficient compared to rising living costs. They are calling for a minimum wage of 45 million tomans to address the disparity.
- The current minimum wage is less than 10 million tomans, while the cost of living in Tehran exceeds 30 million tomans.
- Around 50% of workers in Iran have informal jobs, indicating a significant labor market issue.
💡 Why It Matters
📚 Background
Iran faces high inflation and a cost of living crisis, making it difficult for workers to meet basic expenses. The government struggles to balance economic pressures with labor rights.
🏷️ Entities Mentioned
Translated from the original and edited for English readers. View original source →
Translation confidence: 85%