Double Economic Crisis in Iran for Female Heads of Households

A labor news agency in Iran reported on the economic crisis facing workers, stating that the situation is particularly severe for female workers, especially single mothers. Female workers are caught in mandatory overtime, receive very low wages, and are deprived of basic legal protections. The ILNA news agency, affiliated with the government entity 'Workers' House,' quoted Simin Yaghoubi, a women workers' rights activist, saying, 'These days, the condition of female workers is not good at all.' Yaghoubi emphasized that female heads of households do not know whether to think about their livelihood and housing or to provide new clothes and shoes for their children for the New Year. According to this activist, in addition to the 'termite of inflation,' wage suppression, and economic problems during the New Year, mandatory overtime, which contradicts Article 59 of the Labor Law, severely torments women, and this is where women 'taste the true flavor of exploitation.' This activist also pointed out the 'ignorance' of female workers regarding their rights and laws, addressing the Minister of Labor, stating that working women are tired of this discrimination and injustice. Yaghoubi noted that government officials are even unaware that more than half of working women in small workshops are deprived of all wage benefits, including food allowances and housing rights, as well as overtime and weekend pay, and without support, they endure heavy suffering in the midst of a livelihood crisis. Statistics show that women are also discriminated against in the employment sector. The latest report from the Statistical Center indicates that the economic participation rate of women reached 14.3% in the spring of 1403 (2024). Additionally, examining the unemployment rate among women in different age groups shows that women over 30 generally face lower unemployment rates compared to younger women. Limited access to job opportunities is the first barrier women face when entering the labor market, and most women in Iran must choose between work and family, as job support for balancing these two is very weak. This issue has been exacerbated by Ali Khamenei's emphasis on women's domestic roles, leading to stricter government approaches toward women's employment. Ali Khamenei, the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic, stated on May 1, 2013, 'The most important role a woman can play at any level of knowledge, education, research, and spirituality is that of a mother and a wife; this is more important than all her other work; this is the job that no one else can do besides a woman.' The conditions for male workers are not favorable either, as economic pressures have led a group of labor inspectors in East Azerbaijan province in Tabriz to express concern over low wages and harsh working conditions, warning of the exit of skilled workers from this profession. The government-affiliated news agency ILNA reported that the shortage of workforce could worsen safety conditions in workshops and increase work-related accidents. ILNA emphasized that there are about 830 labor inspectors in the country, with more than 300 of them intending to leave this job. Officials have admitted to the negligible share of women in managerial positions in the Islamic Republic. Women's share of the labor market in Iran is 16%. Unemployment looms over female farmers in the south, as employers prefer to hire 'illegal immigrants.' 90% of university graduates are employed in unrelated jobs. A newspaper report from a survey on 'Values and Attitudes of Iranians' indicates a decrease in the willingness to have children among housewives. An economic newspaper claims that the government provides false information regarding the unemployment rate.