Rewritten Title: Social Security Retirees in Ahvaz Advocate for Financial Autonomy and Reform
Article:
A group of Social Security retirees in Ahvaz has issued a statement outlining their key demands, calling for greater organizational independence and the settlement of longstanding financial obligations. This comes as the Iranian parliament’s Social Commission discusses a series of reform proposals aimed at safeguarding the fund’s resources.
Core Demands for Autonomy
In their declaration, the retirees emphasized that the Social Security Organization belongs to the workers and should be managed independently of direct government control. They called for the organization, along with its affiliated companies and Bank Refah, to be placed under the supervision of the Supreme Social Security Council instead of a government-appointed board of trustees.
A central demand is the settlement of a significant government debt to the organization, reported to be 1,000 trillion tomans (a “Hamle”). The retirees also firmly rejected any potential merger of their pension fund with others, stating it is unacceptable and could harm the rights of contributors.
Parliamentary Review of Reforms
Simultaneously, the Social Security Organization presented seven reform proposals to the parliamentary Social Commission. The discussions, held on October 5, 2024, focused on measures to protect the fund’s assets and correct procedural issues.
Key proposals included:
- Settling Government Debt: Exploring mechanisms for the government to repay its debts through cash, bonds, shares, or assets.
- Bank Refah’s Return: A proposal to legally reintegrate Bank Refah, described as the financial arm of the organization, under its full ownership as part of the Seventh Development Plan.
- Expanding Insurance Coverage: Amendments to allow the organization to adjust employer and employee contribution shares, potentially extending coverage to more workers, including carpet weavers and artisans.
- Hazardous Occupations: Reforming regulations to better categorize and compensate workers in difficult and hazardous jobs, moving away from a one-size-fits-all approach.
Official Emphasis on Correcting Procedures
Mostafa Salari, the Managing Director of the Social Security Organization, highlighted that the proposals aim to return the organization to its core mission. He pointed out that over various periods, additional duties were imposed on the organization, which were not part of its original mandate based on the 1975 law.
Salari expressed gratitude for the parliament’s attention and expressed hope that through these legal reforms, payments outside the organization’s core mission could be prevented, thereby preserving its vital resources for beneficiaries.