Landmark Pension Support Initiative Launches as Social Security Organization Intensifies Anti-Corruption Drive
In a significant move to bolster the national social welfare system, the Iranian Social Security Organization has initiated a major three-phase payment plan aimed at resolving approximately 80% of pension arrears for retirees across the country. The organization’s Managing Director, Mostafa Salari, announced that the payments are scheduled for completion by the end of Shahrivar (late September).
A Dual-Focus Strategy: Support and Reform
The pension initiative is part of a broader, two-pronged strategy to revitalize the Social Security Fund. Mr. Salari emphasized that paying “real wages” is essential for the fund’s recovery and that a proposal to this effect has been submitted to the government and the parliament. The successful implementation of this plan is expected to resolve a significant portion of the fund’s financial challenges and meet its obligations.
Concurrently, the organization is undertaking a serious and sustained campaign against financial corruption and rent-seeking. Salari detailed new findings on economic malfeasance within certain consultancy contracts, revealing the role of some retired managers in creating networks of corruption and financial abuse.
Uncovering Systemic Corruption
Salari stated that during a period when several senior managers had retired, investigations revealed that some had, during their tenure, openly opposed the implementation of certain regulations and hindered transparency efforts. Meanwhile, these same individuals were allegedly securing personal benefits through large, behind-the-scenes contracts.
He provided a specific example: an entrepreneur was incorrectly charged unfair insurance premiums for purchasing foreign goods due to a misapplication of the law, despite his case file in Ahvaz clearly showing he was not subject to such payments. It was later discovered that a retired consultant of the organization, in exchange for a 4 billion tomans consultancy contract, had facilitated the removal of the insurance fee for that very case.
“Such actions not only were illegal but constituted a clear abuse of position and existing privileges,” Salari said. “When a consultant pursues a path of corruption and rent-seeking instead of providing lawful solutions, it undermines public trust and places a double financial burden on the organization and the people.”
Commitment to Transparency and Legal Process
The head of the Khuzestan Provincial Social Security Office, Roshani, addressed the specific case mentioned by Salari. He detailed the legal process undertaken by the provincial office, confirming that the case was handled from the outset with high responsibility, utmost honesty, and integrity. All legal documents were obtained, and the central headquarters’ expertise was utilized to calculate and announce the related company’s debt.
Roshani explained that the company subsequently submitted documents to reduce the debt, which were reviewed by an appeals board, but the debt was ultimately confirmed. The company then pursued its case through the Administrative Justice Court, the verdict of which is now being implemented.
Roshani also highlighted attempts by a Tehran-based consultancy firm, linked to some former organization managers, to interfere in the provincial process. He stressed that provincial colleagues immediately reported this to the relevant authorities at the central headquarters and warned against the efforts of external individuals to meddle in technical case matters. He firmly stated that the Khuzestan office employees would never permit any illegal influence or interference from outside the organization.
A Pledge for the Future
Salari reiterated that fighting corruption is a serious and continuous duty. He warned that the financial corruption and rent-seeking of retired consultants pose a serious threat to the country’s economic transparency and called on supervisory and judicial bodies to investigate these cases more rigorously and deal decisively with the violators.
Despite the challenges, Salari affirmed the organization’s duty to be the loud voice of the people’s protest and to stand against unhealthy structures. The Khuzestan office echoed this commitment, pledging the full cooperation of all colleagues, especially in the field of revenue collection, with the policies and programs of the organization’s senior management to safeguard the financial resources of the sacred Social Security Organization and guarantee the legal rights of employers.
