Promise of Wage Meetings Starting This Week; Workers: Inflation of 42% and a 25 Million Toman Livelihood Basket Should Be the Basis

The news agency 'Tasnim' has reported, citing the Minister of Labor, that meetings to determine workers' wages will begin this week. However, workers remain concerned about delays in holding these meetings. The news agency 'ILNA', affiliated with the government organization 'House of Workers', quoted labor activists stating that the 42% inflation rate and a livelihood basket of 25 million tomans should be the basis for wage negotiations. ILNA also quoted Saeed Fattahi, head of the Association of Trade Unions of Workers in East Azerbaijan Province, who expressed concern that this action indicates the government is seeking to continue its policy from last year, which aimed at limiting workers' wages. Fattahi's remarks refer to the dismissal of a workers' representative from the Supreme Labor Council by the Minister of Labor, which occurred in protest against the Minister's breach of promise and failure to adjust workers' wages in the year 1402. The Minister had promised to adjust wages if inflation continued, but ultimately avoided this action and dismissed the protesting workers' representative from the Supreme Labor Council meetings. Fattahi also mentioned that the announced inflation rate for Bahman is over 42%, and according to labor representatives, the livelihood basket is around 25 million tomans. These figures should be referenced for determining the wages of workers in 1402. In response to the delay in wage meetings, Tasnim reported that more than 50% of the country's population, along with their families, are workers, and the month of Esfand each year is filled with anxiety and stress for this population regarding the determination of their wages for the following year. Reports indicate that workers' representatives are concerned that the wage for 1403 will be determined without specifying the figures for the workers' livelihood basket in the Supreme Labor Council meeting. Labor representatives believe that wages should be determined in accordance with Article 41 of the Labor Law, which states that wages should be based on the inflation rate and the cost of the livelihood basket; otherwise, it cannot be set in a way that meets the living standards of workers given the current wage lag. Nasser Chamani, a labor activist, also stated that if the law and Article 41 of the Labor Law are treated as the 'final word' in determining the wages of the labor community, a 'fair and realistic' wage will certainly be set for workers. According to Article 41 of the Labor Law, 'wages, salaries, benefits, and bonuses for workers must be calculated based on the actual inflation rate in the country.' This law also contains other recommendations regarding the payment of minimum wages by employers, regardless of the inflation rate. According to this article, workers' wages should be based on their physical and mental characteristics and the nature of the work performed. Employers are obliged to pay no worker less than the minimum wage for work performed during specified hours. This article has not yet been properly implemented in Iran, raising concerns for workers. In recent years, instability in inflation rates and lack of economic transparency have hindered the proper implementation of this law. The late holding of Supreme Labor Council meetings; a union activist: They want to deprive workers of the opportunity to protest. A government news agency reported that the poverty line has exceeded 25 million tomans. Workers' wages in Iraq and Turkey are 2 to 4 times higher than those of Iranian workers. An economist warns of an economic collapse: 60% inflation is not out of the question. Workers' wages are under the pressure of inflation; a member of the Supreme Labor Council states that the livelihood basket rate exceeds '23 million and 500 thousand tomans.' The consequences of inflation; workers without fixed wages are concerned about wage justice.