Title: Iran Moves to Streamline Public Sector Contract Workers’ Pay, Citing Transparency and Justice
Article:
In a significant administrative development, the Iranian government is advancing a new plan to directly manage the salaries of thousands of contract workers within state agencies, a move officials say will enhance transparency and ensure fairness.
A Long-Standing Demand
The issue of formalizing the status of contract workers has been a prominent topic of discussion in recent months. Public campaigns and parliamentary focus have underscored the necessity of reforming employment conditions, upholding workers’ legal rights, and establishing greater equity within the public administrative system. Proponents have argued that resolving the ambiguous status of these workers is crucial for improving overall governmental efficiency and justice.
Parliamentary Push and Fiscal Assurance
A key hurdle had been the perceived financial burden such a reorganization might place on the state. However, this concern has been directly addressed by the legislature. Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, the Speaker of the Islamic Consultative Assembly (Majlis), publicly stated last October that he believes the change in the workers’ status “does not impose a financial burden on the government.” He committed to resolving the outstanding issues, signaling strong parliamentary support for the initiative.
The New Direct-Payment Model
Following these parliamentary engagements, the government has taken concrete steps. Aladdin Rafiezadeh, Head of the State Administration and Recruitment Organization, recently announced that a plan is under review to organize contract workers and facilitate the direct payment of their salaries.
The proposed model, championed in the Majlis by Deputy Speaker Haji Babaei, is straightforward: instead of the government paying intermediary contracting companies, the funds would be deposited directly into the bank accounts of the workers themselves.
Objectives: Transparency and Cutting Out Intermediaries
Rafiezadeh emphasized that the primary goals of this plan are to increase payment transparency, reduce dissatisfaction among the contract workforce, and prevent potential financial misuse by intermediary companies. This direct payment system is seen as a practical solution that addresses the core demands of the workers without requiring a new government budget, aligning with Speaker Ghalibaf’s fiscal assurances.
A Coordinated Resolution in Sight
The simultaneous efforts by the public, the Majlis, and the executive branch appear to be converging on a final decision. With a key meeting scheduled for this week, an operational resolution to this longstanding matter is anticipated in the coming weeks, marking a potential step forward in the country’s public administration reforms.
