A News Agency Highlights the 28 Million Toman Livelihood Basket, Lower Deciles Survive Only on Eggs

An Iranian news agency has reported that the average "livelihood basket" in Iran is 28 million tomans, stating that inflation data from Bahman indicates this figure has exceeded 30 million tomans in major cities. In such conditions, lower-income deciles have been left surviving only on eggs. The ILNA news agency, affiliated with the government organization "House of Workers," reported on the economic conditions affecting the "lower strata of the population and low-income deciles," indicating a significant portion of society has fallen below the absolute poverty line. The report emphasizes the harsh reality that with the removal of red and white meat from the tables of the underprivileged, "eggs" have become the only source of protein. ILNA corroborated this by reflecting workers' statements, quoting a municipal worker from Iranshahr: "Our survival is only possible with eggs; just bread and eggs; legumes have also become extremely expensive in recent years. I must say eggs are also expensive, but there is no other way to survive..." A review of social media and reports sent to Persian-language media abroad, including "Voice of America," also shows that some people in Iran have even removed legumes from their food baskets. This situation has brought people's nutrition to the brink of crisis, and the resulting concerns have ultimately forced the government to establish a livelihood allowance. Accordingly, the Ministry of Labor announced a new plan for "Electronic Commodity Subsidies" covering over 61 million people. Experts interpret this level of coverage in the livelihood assistance plan as indicative of widespread poverty and increasing inability of people to secure basic food needs. Some experts believe that with this level of coverage in the government's plan, it can be said that over 60 million of Iran's 85 million population live below the poverty line and will struggle to secure basic food without government assistance. This problem is assessed as severe in lower deciles and more bearable in middle deciles. Reports indicate that beneficiaries in the seven lowest deciles can, by adhering to the announced model, receive 220,000 tomans in subsidies instead of the 120,000 tomans in incentive subsidies until the end of Ordibehesht 1403, allowing them to purchase rice, fresh and frozen beef, legumes, low-fat milk, cheese, 2.5 kg yogurt, fresh and frozen chicken, eggs, liquid oil, pasta, and sugar as specified in this plan. The 220,000 tomans in livelihood assistance comes while the price of regulated meat is around 300,000 tomans. ILNA also referred to economic data, including the unprecedented rise in currency prices in Iran, emphasizing that the likelihood of further price increases and inflation from the first month of next year is very serious. The report characterized the government's handling of the livelihood basket and minimum wage as political rather than economic, stressing that the actual cost of the livelihood basket exceeds 30 million tomans, and if, according to the Minister of Labor's claims, only 20 percent is added to the 7 to 8 million tomans in workers' salaries, the only option for survival, namely eggs, will also be out of reach for workers. Determining the minimum wage for the year 1403 is one of the current concerns of workers in Iran, as the government's delay in holding wage-setting meetings has raised worries about a wage increase of even less than 20 percent. According to government media, the first wage-setting meeting will be held tomorrow, Tuesday, March 15. However, worker representatives have expressed ignorance about this matter. Government officials announced the wage meeting for Tuesday; worker representative: "We are unaware." Half of Iranians live below the absolute poverty line; the Deputy of Raisi: "Wage growth must align with the economic conditions of the country." Promises to hold wage meetings from this week; workers: "42 percent inflation and a 25 million toman livelihood basket should be the basis." A warning from a parliament representative about a "massive wave of discontent" among workers; a labor activist: "An explosive situation has arisen." The late holding of Supreme Labor Council meetings; a union activist: "They want to take away the opportunity for workers to protest." A government news agency: "The poverty line has exceeded 25 million tomans." The sound of further meat price increases; livestock population has decreased by 18 percent. A report from a news agency on the livelihoods of wage earners; food inflation has reached 145 percent.