Title: Landmark Reforms on the Horizon: Iranian Government Finalizes Plan to Regulate Contractual Workforce
Introduction
In a significant move to reshape Iran’s public sector employment landscape, the government is finalizing a comprehensive plan to regulate the status of hundreds of thousands of contractual employees. With a final decision anticipated in the coming weeks, this initiative promises to address long-standing issues of job security and wage disparity within the state’s administrative machinery.
A Plan Years in the Making
The issue of contractual workers, hired through intermediary companies to work in government agencies, has been a persistent challenge for Iran’s administrative system. These employees have historically faced job insecurity, significant pay gaps compared to their formal counterparts, and a lack of clear career progression paths.
According to the Administrative and Recruitment Organization, a meticulous months-long identification process has concluded, revealing an estimated 700,000 contractual workers across various ministries, state organizations, and public service companies. This official figure has brought renewed focus and urgency to the government’s planned reforms.
Government’s Stance: Prioritizing Structural Justice
Alaeddin Rafiezadeh, the Vice President and Head of the Administrative and Recruitment Organization, has been at the forefront of this initiative. He emphasized that the government’s primary approach is to organize the contractual workforce and definitively resolve their employment status.
“The issue of regulating contractual workers is on the government’s agenda, and the final decision on its implementation has not yet been made,” Rafiezadeh stated. “Specialized reviews are currently underway in the government and expert commissions to find a suitable solution for organizing contractual workers and preventing injustice in the payment system.”
He further stressed that the government intends to approve a plan that aligns with overarching administrative policies while remaining feasible within the framework of the national budget. “Any decision regarding contractual workers must be made by considering the country’s financial situation, employment commitments, and administrative justice to avoid a future crisis in human resources,” Rafiezadeh added.
Comparative Overview of Iran’s Public Sector Employment
The following table highlights the key differences in employment statuses within Iran’s public sector, underscoring the disparities the new plan aims to address:
| Employment Type | Salary & Benefits Status | Job Security | Recruiting Authority | Key Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Formal | Full, according to the Law on Management of Civil Service | Very High | Official Examination & Selection | Full benefits and pension insurance. |
| Contractual | According to contractual employment regulations | Medium to High | Relevant Executive Body | Annual contract renewal with possibility of becoming formal. |
| Corporate (Contractual via 3rd Party) | Dependent on the contractor and project-based agreements | Low | Intermediary Company | Lacks job security, significant wage differences. |
| Specific Work Contract | Based on Article 124 of the Civil Service Management Law | Medium | Executive Body | Annual contract with insurance and benefits. |
The Road Ahead and Key Objectives
Experts in labor and employment believe the successful implementation of this plan could end years of confusion and professional inequality. The government’s stated key objectives include:
- Realizing administrative justice in the payment and recruitment system.
- Eliminating intermediaries and organizing corporate contracts.
- Reducing the wage gap and providing a clear legal framework for all workers.
The plan is expected to cover all individuals working in executive bodies and government-affiliated companies whose employment relationship is defined through intermediary firms. This includes service and support staff, corporate workers in ministries, and contractual staff in government-contracted companies.
Public Anticipation and Next Steps
The announcement of the identified 700,000 contractual workers has been met with widespread attention from employees and labor activists. Many have taken to social media to express hope that the government will swiftly move from planning to action, bringing an end to years of wage and job inequality.
While an exact timeline has not been announced, the government appears to be in the final stages of reviewing implementation strategies. Any executive action is contingent upon the official approval of a government resolution. The successful and comprehensive execution of this plan holds the potential to create a more transparent, cohesive, and equitable administrative system for Iran.
