Title: Iran’s Mellat Bank Launches “Mehr Afarin” Initiative, Expanding Financial and Social Support for Educators
In a significant move to bolster the welfare of Iran’s educational community, the Mellat Bank’s “Mehr Afarin” plan is now providing substantial financial support to retired educators, with a major new travel initiative set to benefit both active and retired teaching staff.
Substantial Loans Disbursed to Retirees
Mr. Ali Sadeghi, Managing Director of the Culturalians’ Reserve Fund, has reported remarkable progress in the distribution of low-interest loans to retired educators. Official statistics confirm that over 39,000 retirees have successfully completed their applications and received loans of up to 300 million Rials from the Tourism Bank.
“To date, 343,000 eligible retired educators have been introduced to the bank, and the registration and file completion process is ongoing,” Sadeghi stated. He emphasized that the financial facility was designed specifically to support the retired community, with a streamlined and rapid application process ensuring efficient access to funds.
National “Mehr Afarin” Plan: A New Travel Benefit
In a parallel development, Sadeghi announced the imminent launch of the “Culturalians’ Mehr Afarin” plan for over 1.8 million active and retired educators who are members of the Fund. This innovative scheme, developed in cooperation with the Culture and Welfare Economics Company, enables family travel by paying half the cost upfront and settling the remainder in up to 11 monthly installments deducted directly from salaries or pensions.
The primary goal of this initiative is to enhance the welfare and increase the social vitality of educators’ families, acknowledging their dedicated service.
Key Details of the Travel Initiative:
- Accommodations: Stays at 3-star plus and 4-star hotels in key pilgrimage and tourist cities, including Mashhad, Shiraz, Isfahan, Kish, Babolsar, Gorgan, and Chaboksar.
- Services: A comprehensive package includes a three-night, four-day stay with three full meals daily (breakfast, lunch, and dinner).
- Cost: Priced at 12 million Tomans for three individuals (the educator plus two family members), with an additional 4 million Tomans for each extra person.
- Capacity: The program has a weekly capacity to accommodate 800 educators and their families.
- Payment: Structured as half in cash and half in convenient installments (up to 11 months).
Sadeghi provided assurances on the quality of the program, noting, “By concluding memoranda with service providers and utilizing the capabilities of our subsidiary companies in aviation and tourism, we guarantee the quality of implementation. I will personally supervise the proper execution of the plan.” He added that the success of this scheme will pave the way for the implementation of other welfare programs within the Fund.
A Committee for Dignity and Welfare
In related remarks, Mr. Shokohi, Chairman of the Fund’s Board of Directors, highlighted the formation of the ‘Committee for the Dignity and Welfare of Culturalians.’ He stated, “This committee has presented numerous proposals to elevate welfare services. Preserving the dignity and status of educators is our primary duty.” He described the Mehr Afarin plan as a successful model previously experienced in other companies and promised it would be executed at a worthy level with minimal shortcomings.
These comprehensive measures represent a vital step in supporting Iran’s educators and are expected to generate widespread satisfaction among members upon full implementation. Fund members are encouraged to visit the official Culturalians’ Reserve Fund website for registration details for both the loan facilities and the travel program.
