Ministry of Labor Again Opposes Increase in Minimum Wage for Iranian Workers

On Saturday, September 4, the Deputy Minister of Labor, Cooperatives, and Social Welfare announced that the monthly minimum wage for workers will not be increased. Previously, officials of the Islamic Republic, including the Minister of Labor, had opposed raising the minimum wage. According to ILNA news agency, Ali-Hossein Ra'iti-Fard, who has previously been the head of the organization known as 'Workers' Basij,' referred to Article 41 of the Labor Law, stating that wages are determined based on inflation rates and a livelihood basket suitable for a household of 3.3 people in a tripartite manner. This government official was responding to requests from 'three worker members' of the Supreme Labor Council and recognized labor organizations by the government to convene a meeting of this council to discuss increasing the minimum wage, adding, 'According to the law, the Supreme Labor Council determines wages once.' This is while the 'three worker members' of the Supreme Labor Council and recognized labor organizations by the government claim that the council can meet twice a year. Additionally, Ra'iti-Fard mentioned that the wage for the year 1402 was discussed and ultimately increased by 27%. Currently, the minimum monthly wage for a married worker with children under labor law is about 8 million tomans. However, this wage does not apply to many workers who are not covered by labor law. Recent statistics indicate that the cost of living in Tehran has reached 30 million tomans per month, and the poverty line has exceeded 20 million tomans per month. Despite these statistics, which show a significant gap from the minimum wage, the Deputy Minister stated that 'the government's effort is to assist the working community' and added, 'To solve problems, we must balance the issues of workers and employers simultaneously.' In recent years, even the 'three worker members' of the Supreme Labor Council and recognized labor organizations have emphasized that government representatives in council meetings defend employers and do not adhere to tripartism. Ra'iti-Fard further stated that the livelihood basket for 1402 was about 13 million and 100 thousand tomans, of which about 64% is covered by the 1402 wage. Meanwhile, independent labor organizations, retirees, and other wage earners have repeatedly criticized the Islamic Republic's governments, especially Ibrahim Raisi's government, for neglecting the livelihoods of workers, retirees, teachers, and other wage earners. The Free Union of Iranian Workers wrote on March 19 of last year, following the determination of the minimum wage for workers for 1402: 'The government annually reduces the standard of living for workers and employees, whether in factories or offices, whether in the public or private sector, whether active or retired, several times compared to their income, imposing a catastrophic wage lag on the vast majority of society.' These organizations have also repeatedly emphasized that they have no hope in the Supreme Labor Council and consider choosing 'the street' as the only way to improve their conditions and those of their families.