Final Hours: Landmark Government Workforce Plan Nears Approval
A transformative plan to overhaul Iran’s public sector employment system is on the cusp of final approval, marking a critical step in the administration’s agenda for administrative reform. After extensive deliberations between the government and parliament, the “Government Workforce Organization Plan” has entered its final stages, with a high probability of being ratified imminently.
A National Priority for Administrative Justice
For months, thousands of contractual and corporate-hired government employees have awaited clarity on their employment status. This plan, a key initiative of the 14th government, is designed specifically to address this long-standing issue. Its core objectives are to eliminate job instability, remove intermediary contracting companies, and establish a more transparent and equitable hiring and payment system.
Experts hail the initiative as a major stride toward enhancing administrative integrity. By ensuring direct payment from the state treasury and creating a unified employment procedure across all executive bodies, the plan aims to foster greater fairness and professional security for a significant segment of the national workforce.
Key Reforms and Implementation Strategy
The proposed legislation is built on several pivotal reforms:
- Direct Employment: A central component is the complete removal of intermediary companies. Employees will contract directly with their respective government agencies, and funds previously deducted as commissions by these firms will be redirected to the employees themselves, leading to a tangible increase in net pay.
- The “PAKNA” System: To ensure transparency, the Administrative and Employment Affairs Organization has launched the “PAKNA” system (Information Base for Administrative System Employees). All government bodies are required to register the complete details of their contractual and corporate-hired staff in this platform, preventing violations and ensuring accurate data.
- Streamlined Hiring: Changes to the state employment exam structure have also been announced, with 70% of the final score now allocated to the written test and 30% to the oral interview, promoting a more balanced and just recruitment process.
Government and Parliament in Alignment
In recent high-level meetings, both government and parliamentary representatives have demonstrated a shared commitment to seeing this plan through. Mr. Aladdin Rafiezadeh, Vice President and Head of the Administrative and Employment Affairs Organization, emphasized that reforming the country’s administrative structure is a top priority.
He outlined three potential executive scenarios currently under consideration, ranging from presenting a comprehensive bill to parliament to utilizing existing labor laws to facilitate the direct payment of salaries.
From the legislative side, the Social Commission of the parliament has been actively reviewing the plan. The commission’s chairman has publicly stated that the plan is a crucial social and livelihood matter and is expected to be approved and implemented soon following the finalization of reviews.
A New Chapter for Public Service
The imminent approval of the Government Workforce Organization Plan is poised to open a new chapter in Iran’s state employment history. By providing job stability, increasing transparency, and ensuring fair compensation, the plan is set to create a more just and efficient administrative environment, fulfilling a key national demand and paving the way for sustainable public sector employment.