The Iranian parliament approved a significant raise in salaries for government officials and legislators for the new fiscal year. Under the plan, the minimum salary for officials will rise to 18.7 million toman. Moreover, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Speaker of the Iranian Parliament, said all salaries have increased by at least 32%. He explained that by combining a 3.3% additional rise with a 20% base adjustment and accounting for taxes, the total increase reaches 32%.
As a result, officials’ salaries for the coming year will grow between 21% and 43%, depending on their current level. Specifically, the new structure sets legislators’ minimum salary at 16.8 million toman. In addition, spousal allowances will reach 3,151,000 toman, while child allowances will total 3,438,000 toman. Meanwhile, the maximum salary for top officials will reach 130.9 million toman, roughly seven times the minimum.
However, some lawmakers criticized the decision as insufficient. For example, Shahbaz Hasanpour, a parliamentarian from Kerman, said retirees and ordinary workers face heavy financial strain. He noted, “Retirees cannot survive on 20 million toman. In fact, the current living standard requires at least 50 million toman. Therefore, how can a 20% increase be approved when inflation reaches 60%? Salaries should rise in line with inflation for both officials and workers.”
The parliament approved the raise amid growing economic challenges. In addition, reports indicate that 34% of the population lives near or below the poverty line. Consequently, lawmakers warned that ordinary citizens struggle to keep up with rising living costs. The salary adjustment aims to better align public sector pay with inflation. Furthermore, officials hope the increase will help staff manage expenses more effectively. Nevertheless, critics argue the raise does not reflect real economic conditions and call for larger adjustments to ensure salaries match the cost of living for both retirees and government employees.
Overall, this decision highlights the ongoing debate in Iran over fair compensation. While the parliament has taken a step toward improving salaries, critics argue that more action is needed to protect vulnerable households, support retirees, and help workers cope with rising living costs. The raises, though significant, may still fall short of addressing the economic pressures many families face.