While officials from the Islamic Republic's Planning and Budget Organization have announced that new salary equalization decrees for retirees will add an average of 1.5 to 2 million tomans to retirees' salaries, some retirees have reported increases of less than one million tomans. One retiree from the postal service, with a salary of about 8 million tomans, sent his new decree to the government news agency ILNA, stating that his salary increase was only 43 thousand tomans. He expressed that after months of promises and advertisements, he ultimately received only 43 thousand tomans added to his salary, which is equivalent to the cost of four loaves of bread. Reports indicate that the salary increase for minimum wage retirees has been very insignificant, even failing to reach 100 thousand tomans. Retirees believe that the salary equalization plan has had little impact on improving their living conditions. Some retirees are convinced that the salary equalization formula has not been properly implemented or that there are errors in the calculations. This issue has led to dissatisfaction, widespread protests, and gatherings among retirees. In continuation of these protests, labor retirees in several provinces have held gatherings demanding salary adjustments according to Article 96 of the Social Security Law, improved welfare services, payment of bonuses similar to active workers, and free healthcare. In another report, the Strategic and Coordination Council of Agricultural Retirees announced that it would support any planned protests by retirees' demand groups. The council emphasized that the National Retirement Fund should hold a meeting similar to the one on September 20, 2020, with representatives of retirees and the Planning and Budget Organization. If these demands are not met 24 hours before the gathering, agricultural retirees will be asked to participate in the gatherings of trusted groups. Reports indicate that with the issuance of corrective decrees in October 2024, some retirees saw a slight increase in their salaries, while others faced salary reductions; this discrepancy has sparked a new wave of protests among retirees and increased their demands. Burning equalization decrees by cultural retirees in front of the Hamadan Retirement Fund, protests by telecommunications retirees in Isfahan claiming 'the Executive Headquarters has eaten our rights,' and protests by telecommunications retirees in Zanjan stating 'retiree salaries have only lasted a week' are also noted. Additionally, there has been a 200% increase in military expenditures in the Islamic Republic's 'borrowed budget.'
Increase in Pension Equivalent to 'Four Loaves of Bread'; Retirees Protest 'Salary Equalization Plan'
Retirees in Iran are protesting the inadequate salary increases resulting from the government's salary equalization plan, with some reporting increases as low as 43 thousand tomans. This has led to widespread dissatisfaction and protests among various groups of retirees, highlighting ongoing economic struggles. The situation underscores the disconnect between government promises and the realities faced by retirees.
👥 Key Players
📰 What Happened
Retirees in Iran are protesting against the government's salary equalization plan, which has resulted in minimal increases to their pensions. The dissatisfaction stems from perceived errors in the implementation of the plan and the inadequacy of the increases to meet living costs.
- Some retirees reported salary increases as low as 43 thousand tomans.
- Protests have occurred in multiple provinces, with demands for better salary adjustments and welfare services.
💡 Why It Matters
📚 Background
Iran faces significant economic challenges, including inflation and budget constraints, affecting its ability to meet public sector obligations.
Translated from the original and edited for English readers. View original source →
Translation confidence: 85%