Title: Government Engages on Pension Reforms, Announces 20% Increase in Second Half of Year
In a key meeting addressing the welfare of the nation’s retirees, representatives presented seven core demands to Dr. Ghaempanah, the Executive Deputy to the President. The discussions, which have garnered significant media attention, focused on improving the living standards and securing the legal rights of pensioners, with the government pledging serious consideration of all points raised.
A Comprehensive Agenda for Retirees
The retiree representatives outlined a detailed set of proposals aimed at providing economic relief and reinforcing social justice. The central demands presented to the executive branch include:
1. Full Implementation of Pension Harmonization
A primary demand centers on the complete execution of Clause “R” of Article 28 from the Seventh Development Plan. This clause mandates that pension payments be harmonized to align with inflation rates and the income levels of active employees, ensuring fairness in social payments.
2. Inflation-Based Annual Increase
The representatives insisted that next year’s pension increase must be directly based on the official inflation rate. This request, grounded in Article 125 of the development plan, is crucial to protecting retirees’ purchasing power and alleviating the economic pressure on their families.
3. A 20% Mid-Year Boost
A significant and welcomed proposal was the call for a 20% pension increase to be implemented in the second half of the current year. This measure is seen as a direct and necessary response to rising inflation and the increased cost of living, aimed at substantially improving retirees’ welfare.
4. Overhaul of Basic and Supplementary Insurance
Addressing long-standing grievances, the representatives called for reorganizing the basic and supplementary insurance systems. They specifically highlighted resolving the debts of the Mellat Insurance, urging the cabinet to finalize the executive bylaw of Article 85 of the Civil Service Management Law to improve the insurance framework.
5. Funding for Outstanding Payments
Ensuring sufficient financial resources to settle all delayed pension payments was another critical point. The representatives emphasized that this action is vital to reducing the economic hardships faced by retirees and preventing widespread dissatisfaction.
6. Supporting Border Region Retirees
The delegation called for the enforcement of Clause “J” of Article 112 from the Sixth Development Plan in operational and border areas. This law is designed to reinforce justice for retirees who served the nation in these strategic regions.
7. Employment Quotas for Retirees’ Children
The final request was for the allocation of specific employment quotas for the children of retirees. This initiative is intended to expand job opportunities for these families and help mitigate their economic challenges.
Government Pledges Action
Concluding the meeting, Dr. Ghaempanah acknowledged the importance of addressing retirees’ issues. He assured the representatives that all seven demands would be meticulously reviewed in cabinet sessions, with the necessary planning undertaken for their implementation. Activists in the pension sector have stated that their efforts to see these demands realized will continue until a final outcome is achieved.