A New Chapter for Social Security: Landmark Insurance Scheme for Construction Workers Announced
In a significant move to bolster the nation’s social safety net, the Social Security Organization has detailed the implementation of a new regulatory system designed to provide comprehensive insurance coverage for the country’s construction workers.
Bridging the Protection Gap
The CEO of the Social Security Organization, Mostafa Salari, announced that the “Regulatory System for Organizing Construction Workers’ Insurance” has been formally approved. This initiative directly addresses a longstanding challenge: the temporary and project-based nature of construction work often left laborers without consistent monthly insurance coverage from employers.
“The construction workers’ insurance law was enacted precisely because these workers, due to the non-fixed and temporary nature of their work, were unable to be included on employers’ monthly payrolls for insurance premiums,” Salari stated. “Through this law, insurance coverage has been established for this segment of the workforce.”
The new framework, developed with the active participation of both labor and employer syndicates in the construction sector, is aimed at systematically resolving insurance-related concerns for this vital part of the national labor force.
Collaborative Implementation and National Dialogue
Emphasizing a collaborative approach, Salari highlighted the necessity of coordination between labor and employer organizations for the system’s successful rollout. The sixth national working group meeting for the scheme served as a platform for in-depth discussion. Key topics included the formation of provincial task forces, the explanation of executive procedures, addressing implementation challenges, and establishing a clear process for handling grievances, including a system for registration and in-person follow-ups.
The meeting saw high-level participation from the Social Security Organization’s leadership, representatives from the Ministry of Cooperation, Labor, and Social Welfare, Iran’s High Council of Employers’ Associations, the Building Engineering Organization, and national construction workers’ syndicates.
Financial Stewardsardship and Commitment to Beneficiaries
In related developments from a provincial meeting in Ardabil, Adel Dehdashti, Deputy Head of the Social Security Organization, outlined the institution’s financial commitments and future plans. He affirmed that “advocacy and fulfilling obligations are the most important approaches of our organization,” while also announcing measures to facilitate affairs for employers.
Dehdashti reported that despite financial pressures, the organization has executed two phases of pension adjustments for retirees within the past year. He provided insight into the scale of the organization’s operations, noting monthly disbursements exceeding 90 “Hamta” (a unit of currency) in pensions and salaries, plus an additional 25 Hamta for medical and treatment costs.
To ensure the continuity of these vital services, the organization is actively strengthening ties with its social partners. “Employers, as real partners, play an effective role in the continuity of these services and supporting the workforce,” Dehdashti said, expressing gratitude to compliant employers.
Looking forward, he detailed plans for a “transformation and twenty-fold development program” to navigate current challenges. This includes the unprecedented settlement of debts with medical service providers, facilitated by a government allocation of 70 thousand billion Tomans in bonds. Dehdashti also highlighted ongoing digital transformation efforts and reforms to regulations for hazardous and early retirement.