Government and Parliament Forge Consensus: Landmark Bill to Reform Contract Worker System Nears Finalization
A Growing Public Demand
In recent months, the call to regulate the status of contract workers within state institutions has become a prominent public demand. Numerous campaigns registered on the “Fars Man” platform of the Fars News Agency have highlighted the urgent need to reform employment conditions, uphold the legal rights of these workers, and establish greater fairness within the administrative system. These public initiatives have consistently emphasized that organizing the status of contract and temporary workers is essential to resolving ambiguities in their employment and ensuring their legal entitlements are met, a move expected to enhance both administrative efficiency and justice.
Parliamentary Leadership: No Financial Burden on the State
While some had raised concerns that regulating contract workers would impose a significant financial burden on the state, this view has been addressed by parliamentary leaders. Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf, the Speaker of the Islamic Consultative Assembly, stated on October 26, 2023, “We believe this change in status does not impose a financial burden on the government. We are pursuing the matter to resolve the challenges that have emerged in this regard.”
Executive Action Gains Momentum
Through coordinated follow-ups, the government has now taken concrete steps to address this issue. Aladdin Rafiezadeh, Head of the State Administrative and Recruitment Organization, recently announced on the sidelines of a cabinet session that a plan to organize contract workers and facilitate the direct payment of their salaries is under active review.
Rafiezadeh referenced his discussions with the Parliament Speaker, noting, “Mr. Ghalibaf emphasized that organizing contract workers does not require a new budget and that this issue must be definitively resolved. Accordingly, we will hold a meeting this week to find a practical solution.”
A Practical Proposal for Direct Payment
A key proposal, championed in Parliament by Deputy Speaker Haji Babaei, focuses on direct payment to the end-beneficiary. This model suggests that instead of converting the employment status of contract workers, the funds currently paid by the government to intermediary companies would be deposited directly into the workers’ own bank accounts.
The head of the Administrative and Recruitment Organization stressed that the primary goals of this initiative are to increase transparency in payments, reduce dissatisfaction among contract workers, and prevent potential exploitation by intermediary firms. Deputy Speaker Haji Babaei had previously confirmed that this direct payment approach had gained consensus among attending representatives.
A Unified Path Forward
With the simultaneous and determined efforts of the public, the Parliament, and the government, the long-standing issue of contract worker regulation is now approaching its final decision-making stage. Concrete action to address this significant public demand is anticipated in the coming weeks, marking a pivotal step towards administrative reform and social justice.