Claim by Deputy Minister of Labor: Workers' Wages 'Increased by 119% Over the Past Three Years' in Line with Inflation

On Monday, July 8, a Ministry of Labor official claimed that workers' wages have increased by 119% over the past three years and are in line with the inflation rate. According to the website Tejarat News, Ali-Hossein Ra'iti-Fard, Deputy Minister of Labor Relations at the Ministry of Cooperatives, Labor, and Social Welfare of the Islamic Republic, stated that with the 119% increase in workers' wages during Ebrahim Raisi's administration, the wages are 'in line with the 120% inflation rate.' Meanwhile, reports indicate that the minimum wage for 2024 for each worker covered by labor law is 12 million and 670 thousand tomans, while estimates show the poverty line exceeds 30 million tomans in Tehran and major cities. This Ministry of Labor official presented figures regarding the wage increase process that are far from the livelihood problems of workers, whose daily strike reports are reflected in the Voice of America. He claimed that 'in the first year, there was a 57% increase, in the second year 27.4%, and in the third year 35% increase. This means that the average wage increase over the three years has been greater than in the previous period, and we have tried to ensure that workers' tables do not shrink.' Ra'iti-Fard attributed the fundamental problems that contract and project workers have with contractors to 'legal issues' and stated: 'To say that a worker can sue the previous contractor or subcontractor is against labor law and the law needs to be amended.' Previously, in June, following increased protests regarding the amount and method of determining the minimum wage for workers for 2024, the Deputy Minister of Labor stated that what he called the 'Labor Law Amendment Bill' would be presented to the government 'soon.' According to the Tasnim news agency, close to Iran's security institutions, Ra'iti-Fard said: 'The proposed bill to amend parts of the labor law for determining workers' wages will soon be submitted to the government.' He added that in recent years, 'baseless accusations' have been directed at the High Council of Labor, stating: 'The government intends to utilize the capacity of representatives from various sectors in the Islamic Consultative Assembly to determine workers' wages.' However, shortly after, the spokesperson for Ebrahim Raisi's government announced that the follow-up on the proposed bill had been halted. The discussion of wage determination in the Islamic Consultative Assembly, which has also been expressed by officials of the Ministry of Cooperatives, Labor, and Social Welfare in recent months, has faced significant criticism. In recent years, protests by workers and other wage earners in various regions of Iran have expanded against low wages, delayed payments of wages and benefits, layoffs, and privatization of factories and companies. Protests regarding the livelihoods of retirees in several cities in Iran emphasized the 'double oppression' of the government against women. Protests by railway workers regarding the non-receipt of 'incentive benefits' continue. A union official reported a lack of job security for 'skilled workers.' The wage crisis in Iran continues; wage arrears for workers in various sectors are not being paid. Protests in several cities continue; delays in receiving wages and challenges regarding overdue insurance premiums from Sanandaj to Iranshahr. The uncertainty regarding the 2024 wage persists despite the arrival of summer; labor activists consider Raisi's government to be 'anti-labor.' Conditions are worsening for workers in hard and hazardous jobs; problematic directives are issued. There is a serious livelihood crisis in Iran; the government has 'no will to restore wages.'