Title: Government Advances Plan to Formalize Contract Corporate Workers’ Status
In a significant move to reform public sector employment, the Iranian government is finalizing a comprehensive plan to directly hire thousands of corporate contract workers into official government roles. This initiative, aimed at enhancing job security and administrative efficiency, remains a top priority despite recent discussions about employment regulations.
Clarifying the Path Forward
Recent statements by the head of the Administrative and Employment Organization regarding the necessity of formal exams for employment had raised concerns about the plan’s continuity. However, officials have swiftly moved to clarify that these remarks were misinterpreted.
Fazlollah Ranjbar, a member of parliament and spokesman for the parliament’s Social Commission, confirmed to reporters that the comprehensive plan for “organizing corporate workers” is actively being reviewed by the government and has not been shelved. He emphasized that the earlier comments referred to individual, ad-hoc employment requests and not the overarching government-led initiative.
The Core of the Reform
The “organizing” process involves transitioning employees currently working in government agencies through third-party corporate contractors to direct employment contracts with the relevant state entity. The primary objectives are to:
- Eliminate intermediary contracting companies.
- Increase job security for the workforce.
- Reduce disparities in salary and benefits.
- Enhance overall human resource productivity.
This reform is framed within the government’s broader policy to establish a clear and legal framework for employment, promoting administrative justice and transparency.
Official Reassurances and Next Steps
Alaeddin Rafiezadeh, Vice President and Head of the Administrative and Employment Organization, had previously stressed that, according to law, any hiring or status conversion must be conducted through formal examinations. While this sparked speculation, MP Ranjbar has asserted that the comprehensive plan for corporate workers is fully aligned with this legal principle.
“The proposed package for the status conversion of corporate forces has been prepared by the Administrative and Employment Organization and is currently under review by the government,” Ranjbar stated. “The final summary will be presented in the coming days. Therefore, the issue of organizing corporate forces has by no means been removed from the government’s agenda.”
A Framework for Formalization
The plan outlines a structured transition, moving all corporate workers to direct contracts with the government agency they serve, with payments being processed directly from the state treasury. This shift is designed to end the current system of contracts with intermediary firms, thereby granting workers greater stability and standardized rights.
The government’s commitment to finalizing this plan is seen as a crucial step toward resolving a long-standing administrative challenge, ensuring employment justice, and securing the professional future of a significant segment of the national workforce.