Title: Kermanshah Retirees Advocate for Full Implementation of War Zone Benefits
Introduction: A Legacy of Service, A Contemporary Disparity
Retirees in Kermanshah, many of whom served the nation directly or indirectly during the imposed war, are calling for the full implementation of a “war zone allowance.” While current employees in this western province receive this legal benefit, a significant number of its retirees, who worked and lived through the conflict, say they have been left out, creating a sense of grievance and inequality.
A Grievance Rooted in Service
The core of the issue lies in a perceived generational disparity. Retirees point out that their children, now employed in the same cities, receive the war zone allowance, while they themselves, who endured the hardships of the war years, do not. Many of these retirees served in operational zones or in cities targeted by enemy bombardments, steadfastly performing their duties. They now expect their pension slips to reflect this service, just as the paychecks of current employees do.
In recent weeks, groups of retirees have gathered at social security and pension fund offices in Kermanshah to formally register their protest, urging both provincial and national authorities to address the matter seriously.
Official Advocacy and Legislative Pursuits
Javad Akbari, Head of the Kermanshah Retirees’ Association, has been vocal about the issue. “Despite the years that have passed since the Sacred Defense, retirees in war-affected provinces, including Kermanshah, are still deprived of the full implementation of the war zone right,” he stated. He emphasized that follow-ups to secure this legal entitlement are ongoing.
Akbari clarified that the demand is not for a new privilege but for the application of an existing law. “We are not seeking a new advantage or an illegal demand; we are only seeking the implementation of a law that has already been applied to current employees,” he explained. He added that given the current difficult economic conditions, the allowance would help alleviate some of the financial pressure on retirees.
Recognition of a Province’s Sacrifice
The context of Kermanshah’s sacrifice during the eight-year war is central to the retirees’ argument. The province, with over 2 million residents and a 371-kilometer border with Iraq, was on the front lines from the very beginning of the conflict. It bore the brunt of the war, which ultimately concluded within its borders with the proud Operation Mersad in 1988.
A Call for Equitable Resolution
Akbari expressed gratitude for the efforts of Kermanshah’s parliamentary representatives, specifically naming Mr. Fazlollah Ranjbar, whom he credited for actively pursuing retirees’ rights in the parliament and energizing the retirees’ faction.
He confirmed that the matter has been brought to the attention of the provincial governor and other senior officials. “We expect that through the amendment of regulations and coordination between the government and the parliament, the groundwork will be laid for the full implementation of this legal right for all retirees in war zones,” Akbari said.
In his concluding remarks, Akbari framed the issue as a matter of national respect, stating, “Retirees are the human capital of the system and the guardians of the memories from the era of resistance. Neglecting their legal rights is a form of disregard for a generation that stood by the system during its most difficult times. We hope the officials will resolve this long-standing grievance with a just and prudent decision.”