Title: New “Justice Shares” Initiative for Infants Launches Next Phase of Economic Empowerment
Introduction: A Financial Foundation for the Next Generation
In a significant step to bolster long-term family welfare and economic resilience, the Iranian government has advanced its “Justice Shares” program with a new phase dedicated to newborns. This initiative, enacted under Article 11 of the “Family Protection and Youth Population Law,” is designed to create a financial bedrock for the nation’s future generations, directly supporting households.
How the Infant Share Allocation Works
The government is mandated to allocate shares of Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs) to every child born in the Iranian calendar year 1400 (2021-2022) and beyond. The value of these shares is set at 1.5 million Tomans for children born in 1401 and 2.3 million Tomans for those born in 1402.
To register, parents must complete a multi-step process: they must register their and their child’s information in the Sejam system, open a bank account in the infant’s name, and finalize the procedure through the National Smart Government Portal. Once the information is verified, the shares are officially allocated to the child.
Government Reports Widespread Registration and Funding
On September 8, 2023, Government Spokeswoman Fatemeh Mohajerani confirmed that the necessary financial resources for the plan in the years 1401 and 1402 have been secured. She further announced that over 671,000 individuals who were initially missed have now been registered, with the share allocation process for them currently underway.
Long-Term Vision and Economic Stability
The core objective of the infant shares scheme is to provide a long-term financial safety net for the new generation and to support families. The allocated shares are non-withdrawable until the child gets married or reaches 24 years of age. The value of this investment will fluctuate with the performance of the underlying investment funds, offering potential for growth.
This latest phase marks a new chapter in the broader Justice Shares program, with expectations set for the continued registration and share allocation for children born in subsequent years.
Broader Economic Support and Legislative Backing
The government’s economic strategy includes parallel support mechanisms. Rahim Zare’, a member of the Iranian Parliament’s Plan and Budget Committee, highlighted legislative efforts to sustain support for essential goods. He stated that the budget for the upcoming year has provisions to continue this support, ensuring that lower-income deciles receive necessary aid, a move that has reportedly garnered high satisfaction.
Furthermore, regarding the original Justice Shares plan, Zare’ clarified that the Parliament has fulfilled its duty by identifying nearly 9 million eligible individuals who were previously left out. The government is now tasked with prioritizing and covering these individuals, with a focus on welfare recipients and the lower-income deciles.
This comprehensive approach, combining direct share allocation for newborns with sustained support for essential goods, underscores the government’s commitment to enhancing economic justice and supporting low-income households.