Teachers' Association Raises Alarm Over Low Teacher Salaries In Iran

Iran's Teachers' Association says that a third of the country's educators earn less than $200 a month and has brought attention to their financial challenges.

The Association revealed that 32% of teachers in Iran earn less than $200 in monthly salary, contradicting minister Education Minister Reza Morad Sahraie's claim that no teacher receives a salary below this amount.

Citing salary slips from a comprehensive sample of three thousand teachers, the Teachers' Association highlighted the significant number of educators struggling with inadequate compensation. The data indicates that nearly one-third of teachers across the nation receive less than 100 million rials, which is equivalent to approximately $200.

Furthermore, the survey shed light on the broader spectrum of teacher salaries. A substantial 81% of educators reported earnings ranging from $110 to $300.

In response to the Minister's claims, the Teachers' Association voiced skepticism, stating, "It is plausible that the Minister's assertions are either untrue or indicative of a lack of control over the domain he oversees."

It is worth noting that Hossein Rasouli, an official from the Workers’ House, recently emphasized that the monthly minimum wage of less than $200 merely covers "nine days of a family's life." Rasouli further elaborated that the minimum monthly wage for workers in Iran falls short of eighty million rials (approximately $150 USD), emphasizing the ongoing economic challenges.

The issue of inadequate salaries is not new to Iran. Real incomes have struggled to keep pace with inflation since the establishment of the Islamic Republic in 1979. Earlier reports from mid-2022 highlighted a staggering 300% increase in rents in Tehran over the span of three years, further underscoring the economic pressures faced by citizens.