Rewritten Title: Public Sector Workers and Retirees Petition Parliament for Urgent Salary Adjustments
Article:
In a significant political appeal, Iranian public sector employees and retirees have launched a campaign, directly petitioning the head of the Parliament. Their demand is clear: an urgent and equitable increase to their salaries and pensions for the second half of the current Iranian year.
The Core Economic Challenge
The petition highlights a growing disparity between wage increases and the cost of living. It states that while the official inflation rate has surged, the government’s policy has been to enforce fixed and “unrealistic” salary adjustments. The designated 20% salary increase for the current year is cited as insufficient, failing to cover even a third of the rising cost of essential goods for many families.
A Sharp Decline in Purchasing Power
Citing official statistics, the campaign outlines a stark economic reality. Between the Iranian years 1400 and 1403, cumulative official inflation exceeded 230%, while salaries saw only a 75% increase. This discrepancy has resulted in an estimated 65% decline in the purchasing power for government employees and pensioners, pushing a majority of them to the brink of absolute poverty.
The Poverty Line and Livelihoods
The appeal draws a direct comparison between average incomes and the estimated urban poverty line. For a typical family of four, the poverty threshold is estimated to be between 25 to 30 million tomans per month. However, the average pension for state retirees is reported at 13-15 million tomans, while active employees receive 18-20 million tomans. This gap, the petitioners argue, demonstrates that millions of dedicated public servants and retirees are now living below the poverty line, struggling with severe economic pressure despite years of service.
A Call for Legislative Action
The campaign places the responsibility for a solution squarely on the legislative branch. It emphasizes the “national duty” of the Islamic Consultative Assembly (Parliament) to take immediate action. The primary request is for Parliament to pass an urgent bill that obligates the government to implement a “salary restoration plan” in the latter half of the year. Economic experts cited in the petition suggest a minimum increase of 30-35% is necessary to begin addressing the accumulated livelihood deficit.
Key Proposals for Reform
The petitioners have put forward a three-point proposal for systemic reform:
- Immediate Adjustment: Obligate the government to immediately adjust salaries and pensions for the second half of the year.
- A Logical Formula for the Future: Develop a rational salary calculation formula for the next year’s budget, based on average inflation and household subsistence costs.
- Ensuring Oversight: Implement strict parliamentary and audit oversight to ensure the equitable implementation of salary-related legislation and prevent discrimination among different groups of wage earners.
The Fundamental Demand: A Just Life
Striking a resonant chord, the campaign clarifies its core motivation: “We have no special expectations; we are only demanding our right to a just life. When inflation reaches 40 percent and salaries increase by only 20 percent, it means our livelihood is continuously shrinking.”
A Direct Appeal to Parliament
The final message is a direct address to the Parliament, reinforcing its role as the “House of the Nation.” The campaign calls on legislators to compel the government to enact fair and prompt salary corrections. Furthermore, it expresses hope that during the upcoming budget approval process for the next year, the Parliament will exercise meticulous oversight to alleviate the economic pressures on this productive and service-oriented segment of society. The full implementation of relevant articles of the Country’s Civil Service Management Law is also emphasized as crucial to restoring justice in salary payments.