An Agency's Account of Inflation and Household Economy; The Minimum Living Basket for Tehran Residents Exceeds 23 Million Tomans

The ILNA news agency, affiliated with the Workers' House, reported on the state of inflation and household economies, stating that the minimum living basket, at its lowest, exceeds 23 million tomans in Tehran when housing costs are included, and ranges between 20 to 22 million tomans in industrial metropolises like Mashhad, Isfahan, and Tabriz. The report's author criticized the current conditions, noting that workers' shopping baskets are 'emptier than ever' and that 'officials are passing the inflation ball to each other.' The report references claims made by the Minister of Economy, who stated last week, 'We performed well; the increase in inflation in Mordad is not our fault.' This claim comes despite a recent review of the latest report from the Statistical Center of Iran, which shows that in Mordad this year, the point-to-point inflation rate for households in the country was 39.8%. Additionally, in Mordad, the consumer price index for households reached 197.7, which is a 2.4% increase from the previous month and shows a 39.8% increase compared to the same month last year. Furthermore, inflation over the 12 months ending in Mordad increased by 46.7% compared to the same period last year. ILNA viewed the statistics published by the Statistical Center with skepticism, stating that despite the number manipulation by the center and its superficial and reductionist approach to the inflation basket, 'everything' has become more expensive compared to the previous month in the second month of this summer. ILNA quoted Faramarz Tofighi, a labor activist, who mentioned that if inflation has somewhat stabilized at high figures, it is a result of people's inability. He stated, 'Even today, meat priced at 500,000 tomans is not selling, resulting in livestock being exported to prevent spoilage.' Tofighi also spoke of the disaster of substituting low-quality goods in people's food baskets and noted that the decrease in the inflation increase rate is due to reduced purchasing power and consumers turning to low-quality substitutes. On the 8th of Shahrivar, the head of the Islamic Labor Councils criticized the ongoing inflation in the country, referring to the livelihood crisis of workers and stating that workers' wages 'barely cover 10 days of living.' Olia Ali-Beigi referred to the labor community's request for a review of wages and stated that they expect the 'Supreme Labor Council' and the government's economic team to consider the concerns and worries of the labor community. 'Wage restoration' was a promise made by the Minister of Labor when determining the wage increase amount to labor representatives, but Solehat Mortazavi rejected any promises for wage review after workers' requests. In response to this action, workers filed a complaint with the Administrative Justice Court, which also rejected the workers' complaint, stating that the determination of the 1402 wage was in accordance with the law and that the workers' complaint was unfounded. A labor official stated: wages cover 10 days; a government official stated: there is no news of wage restoration. Livelihood protests in Iran; telecommunications retirees gathered in at least 16 provinces. Inflation of 250% in the prices of essential goods; workers' wages are one-third of the poverty line. The Ministry of Labor again opposed the increase in the minimum wage of Iranian workers. Retirees in several cities in Iran took to the streets for livelihood protests and to support imprisoned teachers. Livelihood protests occurred in several provinces in Iran; retirees stated: we handed the government over to thieves.