Iran's Workers and Pensioners Struggle for Survival Amid Soaring Inflation and Economic Turmoil

Under the current regime’s militaristic priorities and chronic inflation, millions of Iranian workers, retirees, and vulnerable citizens face daily challenges to survive as living costs continue to rise and wages erode in real terms. This ongoing economic crisis in Iran has transformed life into a relentless struggle for many, reflecting a stark reality that requires urgent attention.

A Nation Working to Survive, Not to Live

In contemporary Iran, the plight of workers and pensioners has shifted from a pursuit of a dignified existence to a continuous battle for survival. With chronic inflation, soaring prices, and the collapse of purchasing power, many individuals are forced to take on multiple jobs, shifting from a “choice” to an unavoidable “necessity.” The situation has led to:

Shrinking dinner tables due to decreased purchasing power
Longer working hours with increased job insecurity
A constant fear of losing employment opportunities

The roots of this economic erosion lie not within the households of workers but in the decision-making rooms of the regime, where priorities are skewed toward military ambitions, nuclear projects, and regional interventions, rather than the welfare of the Iranian populace. Every rial allocated to these ventures detracts directly from the national economy and the financial well-being of workers.

Economic Pressure Mounts as Inflation Surges

Despite the regime’s propaganda efforts, the reimposition of UN sanctions has exacerbated inflation and elevated living costs for many. Reports indicate that millions of workers and retirees are taking on extra jobs to afford basic necessities, such as:

Food
Housing
Healthcare

With approximately 14 million workers across the nation—many of whom earn minimum wage—an increasing number have resorted to gig economy jobs, including online taxi driving, to cope with escalating expenses. According to the regime’s Ministry of Labor, nearly 60% of Iranian workers are both underpaid and overworked, with around 15 million individuals now operating in ride-hailing capacities.

To illustrate the scale of this issue, Uber operates in 71 countries with 7.7 million drivers globally, which is nearly half the number of Iranian citizens forced into similar work merely to survive.

Women and Retirees Hit Hardest

Among the hardest hit are female workers, who face significant challenges. The automation of manufacturing and stagnation in service sectors have wiped out many traditional job opportunities available to women. Consequently, a large number now work without:

Insurance
Job security
Sufficient income, often below the poverty line

The situation is equally dire for retirees. Many pensioners under the Social Security Organization receive around 14 million tomans per month—well below the poverty threshold of over 25 million tomans in major cities. Essential expenses like rent and household goods remain out of reach for them.

A new government initiative called “Beta,” in collaboration with Bank Refah, aims to provide retirees with installment loans for household appliances. However, labor union representatives argue that the repayment conditions are unmanageable for many retirees, potentially leading to deeper debts.

Ali Dehghan-Kia, head of Tehran’s Pensioners’ Association, confirmed that even higher-income retirees struggle with long-term repayments, and many specifics of the program remain unclear.

Additionally, delays in pension payments have ignited widespread discontent. Mohammad Hassan Mousavand, executive secretary of the Khaneh Kargar (Workers’ House) in Lorestan, reported that seven months have elapsed since the government pledged to address outstanding payments, with the real value of these claims significantly diminished due to rising exchange rates.

Disabled Citizens and the Hidden Poor

Over nine million Iranians with disabilities are also facing severe hardships. Most receive monthly stipends of around three million tomans—insufficient even for basic medical needs. Rehabilitation and caregiving subsidies cover only a fraction of actual costs, leaving over 100,000 individuals on waiting lists for minimal assistance.

Despite existing laws mandating that the government pay a minimum wage to unemployed disabled persons, this measure remains unimplemented. Consequently, many are forced to rely on charity to acquire essential equipment and hygiene products, which often cost multiples of their monthly allowance.

From Basic Living to Burial Costs: A Crisis Without End

Even the costs associated with death have become prohibitive. Burial fees have surged, with graves in Tehran’s Behesht Zahra Cemetery priced over 62 million tomans per tier. Meanwhile, newlywed couples—once symbols of hope—frequently turn to second-hand stores for essentials. As one shopkeeper in Yousefabad shared, “Five years ago, I never saw brides and grooms buy used goods. Now it happens every week.”

The deteriorating crisis has not gone unnoticed, even by state-run media. The regime-affiliated Mehr News Agency responded cynically to parliament’s initiative to remove four zeros from the national currency, stating, “Instead of deleting zeros, try deleting inflation.”

Hamidreza Rostagar, head of the Tehran Chamber of Guilds, acknowledged that officials have remained silent in response to massive price hikes. He estimated that 70% of inflation stems not from sanctions but from internal mismanagement. Independent economists concur, identifying the regime’s substantial military spending, nuclear ambitions, and regional adventurism as primary contributors to Iran’s economic collapse, draining national resources and exacerbating inflation that burdens the working class.

A Growing Divide Between Reality and Regime Claims

The soaring living costs, plummeting purchasing power, and escalating job insecurity create a stark image of Iran’s economic decay. As poverty lines rise above 25 million tomans per month for a small family, millions of workers and retirees are compelled to juggle multiple jobs or incur crippling loans merely to make ends meet.

While the regime boasts about controlling inflation, everyday Iranians are acutely aware of the reality: the crisis is not subsiding—it is intensifying.