The recent conference titled “Shedding light on the Minimum Wage Policy in Iran” at the Center for Development Research and Foresight brought together economists and policymakers to discuss the country's wage policies. Hojjatollah Mirzaei, a faculty member at Allameh Tabataba'i University, criticized the recent wage hikes as inadequate and unevenly implemented. He argued that they failed to keep pace with inflation, leaving workers worse off, and called for the government to be more transparent about the basis for the increases. Mirzaei also expressed concern about the lack of consistency across different sectors, noting that some firms struggle to comply with the mandated increases. He emphasized the need for a more nuanced approach that considers the specific challenges of different industries.

Mohammad Jafari, head of Macroeconomic Affairs at the country's Planning and Budget Organization, offered a different perspective. He downplayed the role of wage increases in inflation, attributing the recent surge to other factors. Jafari stressed the importance of foreign investment for economic growth and advocated for greater transparency in government policies.

Ehsan Voldan, deputy of Qasd Think Tank, echoed Jafari's concerns about inflation but placed the blame on broader economic issues like money supply and government budget imbalances. He argued that wage increases have a negligible impact on inflation and called for a redesign of the public sector payment system.

The conference concluded with a unified call for increased transparency from the government and a renewed focus on tackling inflation. Experts emphasized the need for comprehensive reforms that address the concerns of workers, employers, and the broader economy.

While the specific solutions remain debated, the conference served as a platform for open dialogue and highlighted the urgent need for action on Iran's minimum wage challenges.