Title: Public Sector Workers and Retirees Petition Parliament for Urgent Salary Adjustment
In a significant move, Iranian government employees and retirees have collectively petitioned the Speaker of the Parliament, calling for an urgent review and increase to their salaries and pensions for the second half of the current fiscal year. The appeal highlights the growing economic pressures faced by this segment of the population.
The Inflation Challenge
The petition points to a significant disparity between wage increases and the official inflation rate. It states that while the cumulative official inflation between 2021 and 2024 has been over 230%, salaries have only seen a 75% rise in the same period. This gap has reportedly led to a substantial decrease in the purchasing power of state employees and retirees. The 20% salary increase designated for the current year is described as insufficient to cover the rising cost of essential goods.
Addressing the Cost of Living
A central argument in the appeal is the struggle to meet basic living standards. The letter cites estimates that place the urban poverty line for a family of four significantly higher than the average income of both active employees and retirees. This discrepancy, the petitioners argue, has pushed many dedicated public servants and retirees who have served the nation for years below the poverty line, creating severe economic hardship.
A Call for Legislative Action
The campaign urges the Islamic Parliament of Iran to take immediate national action. The primary request is for the Parliament to approve an urgent bill that would obligate the government to implement a salary adjustment plan in the latter half of the year. Economic experts cited in the petition suggest that an increase of 30-35% is necessary to begin addressing the existing deficit in living standards.
Proposed Framework for Reform
The petitioners have put forward a three-point proposal for a sustainable solution:
- Mandating an immediate salary adjustment for the second half of the current year.
- Formulating a logical and transparent salary calculation formula for the next year’s national budget, based on average inflation and household subsistence costs.
- Ensuring strict parliamentary oversight and auditing to guarantee the impartial implementation of salary-related regulations for all groups.
The Core Demand: A Fair Standard of Living
The campaign underscores that its members are not asking for special privileges, but for a fair and just standard of living. The appeal states that when inflation outpaces salary increases, it directly translates to a continuous shrinking of their household livelihood.
An Appeal to the Parliament
The final message is directed squarely at the legislature, referred to as the “House of the Nation.” The petitioners call on the Parliament to compel the government to enact a fair and prompt salary adjustment. They also express hope that during the upcoming budget approval process for the next fiscal year, the Parliament will implement rigorous oversight to alleviate the economic pressures on this productive and service-oriented segment of society, ensuring justice in wage payments as per the country’s civil service management law.