Continued Protests by Workers Over Wage Increase; Possibility of Parliament's Involvement to Resolve Disputes Grows

Nearly 10 days after the Supreme Labor Council's decision to increase the minimum wage for workers in Iran by 35%, protests over the stark discrepancy between the inflation rate and the wage increase continue. The likelihood of the Islamic Consultative Assembly intervening to resolve the disagreements has increased. The 35% wage increase was approved in the final hours before the year 1403, but it has faced widespread protests due to the current inflation rate in Iran, with many stating that it is 'absolutely insufficient.' Hossein Ali Hajideligani, a member of the Islamic Assembly, expressed dissatisfaction with the Supreme Labor Council's decision regarding wage increases, stating, 'We are unhappy with the behavior of government representatives, especially the Minister of Labor, and after the Assembly convenes, we will pursue discussions and reach a suitable decision regarding the minister and the Supreme Labor Council's decision.' According to this parliament member, the minimum wage should be adjusted according to the law and in line with the inflation rate, and therefore, before any action, inquiries should have been made to the Central Bank and the Planning and Budget Organization regarding the inflation rate. Hajideligani pointed out that it is impossible to live on 10 million tomans, noting that the Research Center of the Assembly has declared the poverty line, and the government is aware of this figure, thus the minimum wage should be determined based on the poverty line. According to Nournews, the minimum income for married workers with two children next year, based on the latest resolution of the Supreme Labor Council, is set at around 11 million tomans. The government, led by the Ministry of Labor, argues that 'over the three years of the thirteenth government, the average annual wage increase for workers has exceeded 39%, while in the previous government it was less than 24%,' defending this increase. However, labor representatives believe that this figure, even under the best conditions, does not cover half of the basic needs in household budgets and will shrink the family table of workers. Ayat Asadi, a member of the Supreme Labor Council, pointed out these issues, stating, 'The final income for workers will be even less than 35%.' He mentioned that 'this increase is not 35% but below 30%; because deductions, insurance, and income tax effectively reduce the increase for minimum wage earners to below 30% and for other levels to below 20%.' Mohammad Reza Tajik, a member of the Wage Committee of the Supreme Labor Council, also emphasized that the wage structure needs fundamental reform, stating, 'The purpose of setting wages is to ensure the livelihood of workers' families, while the current wage does not even cover the food items for workers' households.' Labor representatives believe that with this meager wage increase, the lives of this crucial production sector will become increasingly difficult, while the government contends that raising workers' wages will lead to increased inflation. Workers are demanding wage increases in line with inflation and living costs, while employers express concern over significant wage hikes. A number of workers and employees of the Lorestan Railway have gone on strike. The inefficiency of the Comprehensive Labor Relations System; 'White contracts' are an endless problem for workers. Protests by labor activists and organizations over wages below the poverty line continue. The riddle of income and expenses in Iran; a wage of 136 dollars against expenses of 500 dollars. The management of the National Industrial Steel Group of Ahvaz has dismissed several protesting workers. A member of the Supreme Labor Council stated that the government takes 10% of workers' wages as tax. The Sugarcane Workers Syndicate of Haft Tappeh stated that the humiliating wage for the year 1403 is a blatant attack on the lives of workers and wage earners.