Iranian Parliament Prioritizes Labor Reforms and Social Security Enhancements
In a significant move underscoring the government’s commitment to social welfare, the Iranian Parliament is advancing key reforms aimed at improving the conditions for workers and pensioners. This initiative was highlighted during a recent meeting between parliamentary officials and labor unions.
Parliamentary Focus on Labor and Social Justice
Ali Babaei Karanami, the Head of the Parliament’s Social Commission, emphasized that major reforms in labor and social security are high on the legislative agenda. He stressed the intrinsic link between the nation’s progress and social justice for its workforce.
“If we cannot address the livelihood of workers, achieving social justice and the country’s progress will not be possible,” Babaei Karanami stated. “Therefore, our country’s development is dependent on the social justice for these dear individuals. Without workers and the productive classes, the country cannot achieve sustainable progress.”
Concrete Steps and Achievements
The official pointed to a series of concrete measures already undertaken. He reported that the Social Commission has successfully enacted positive changes in social security law and worker protections, with tangible results being seen this year.
Key ongoing efforts include:
- Setting wage and insurance ceilings for construction workers and drivers, with new agreements expected soon with their respective associations.
- Reviewing and amending Article 76 of the Social Security Law to resolve insurance and legal issues faced by some workers.
- A dedicated focus on improving the insurance coverage for construction workers, taxi drivers, and platform-based drivers.
New Social Security Payments Commence
In a related development, the Public Relations of the Social Security Organization has announced the commencement of backlog payments. The process for paying the remaining adjusted arrears and annual salary increases related to the current Iranian year (starting March 2024) for the remaining pensioners and beneficiaries will begin gradually and continuously from this Sunday, October 13th.
This follows a major approval by the Supreme Council of Economic Coordination of the Heads of Branches, which greenlit the government’s payment of 185 quadrillion tomans in claims to the Social Security Organization. These funds will also be used to settle claims with contracted medical centers.
A Collaborative Path Forward
Babaei Karanami acknowledged existing budgetary constraints, noting that economic reforms must be gradual to avoid negative impacts on other sectors. He underscored the importance of continued cooperation between the Parliament, the government, and labor organizations to realize these social and economic goals.
“We have resolved to take effective steps towards realizing social justice and improving the livelihood and employment situation of workers,” he concluded, expressing hope that these plans would further pave the way for the country’s development.