Title: Major Reform to Streamline Public Sector Hiring and Secure Workers’ Rights
In a significant move to reform public sector employment, the Iranian government is advancing a major initiative to restructure the hiring process for corporate contract workers. This initiative, a key priority for both the executive and legislative branches, aims to enhance job security, ensure equitable treatment, and increase administrative efficiency by removing intermediary contracting companies.
A New Direct-Hire Framework
At the heart of the proposed changes is a plan to eliminate third-party contractors. Government agencies would instead hire workers directly under formal “work assignment” contracts. This shift is designed to provide hundreds of thousands of corporate workers with greater employment stability and ensure their salaries are paid promptly and transparently directly from the state treasury.
Two primary models have been under discussion. The first proposes differentiating contracts based on academic qualifications, offering formal agreements to university graduates while engaging non-graduates under the framework of Article 124 of the Civil Service Management Law. The second model advocated for a unified, direct-payment system for all workers, irrespective of educational background.
After extensive review in the Government Human Resources Management Commission, a consensus has emerged favoring the direct-hire approach, effectively sidelining the second proposal. This decision aligns with the long-standing demands of the workforce and the legislative agenda of the Islamic Consultative Assembly (Majlis).
Cross-Governmental Consensus and Implementation
The reform has garnered serious political momentum. Mr. Aladdin Rafiezadeh, Head of the State Organization for Administrative and Employment Affairs (SOAEA), has outlined the clear benefits of the direct-hire system, emphasizing its potential to foster fairness and financial transparency.
Echoing this commitment, Ahmad Fatemi, a member of the Majlis Social Commission, confirmed that intermediary companies will be removed from the process. He stated that relevant executive bodies will directly contract with corporate workers, a move expected to be finalized in the coming weeks. This follows high-level meetings between the Majlis, the government, and the Expediency Discernment Council, demonstrating a unified cross-branch effort to resolve this issue.
Addressing Financial and Administrative Concerns
A primary concern raised during deliberations was the potential financial burden of the reform on the state. However, Ahmad Bigdeli, another member of the Social Commission, cited an official report from the Supreme Audit Court indicating that the plan would not impose new costs. In fact, the report suggests the reform could lead to financial savings for the government by cutting out costly intermediary fees.
Mr. Bigdeli highlighted that certain powerful stakeholders with vested interests in maintaining the status quo have historically impeded progress. Nevertheless, he expressed strong optimism that a firm and serious understanding exists among the government, Majlis, and the Expediency Council to see this through.
A Path Toward Greater Justice and Efficiency
Mohammad Khoshsima, a member of the Majlis Article 90 Commission, underscored the urgency of this reform, noting that years of contracting through intermediaries have deprived a dedicated workforce of job security and equal rights. The new framework, he explained, is designed to create a more transparent, efficient, and just administrative structure for the nation.
The SOAEA, in coordination with the Plan and Budget Organization and the Vice Presidency for Legal Affairs, has been tasked with operationalizing the plan. A new registration system has already identified approximately 700,000 corporate workers, with estimates of another 200,000 to be included.
The Road Ahead
The final proposal is slated to be presented to the cabinet and subsequently to the Majlis for approval in the near future. If implemented, this landmark reform promises to be a transformative step toward social and economic justice for a significant segment of Iran’s workforce, marking a historic achievement in public administration reform. The concerted political will across various government institutions suggests a high likelihood of its successful and timely implementation.