Skilled Labor Migration Rises In Iran

An Iranian labor official has raised concerns about the trend of skilled labor migration from Iran to other countries, including Iraq, Oman, and Turkey.

In a Saturday interview with Tasnim News Agency, Somayeh Golpour, the head of the Supreme Council of Workers' Guilds in Iran, emphasized that reports indicate a notable increase in migration, posing challenges to the country's workforce.

Golpour expressed her concern about the sluggish pace of replacing skilled workers and pointed out that, “paradoxically, even as investors show a preference for investing more in other countries, the replacement of the skilled workers remains slow within Iran.”

One significant factor contributing to the migration, according to Golpour, is the substantial disparity in minimum wages. She noted that when the minimum wage in destination countries reaches 250 to 300 million rials (500 to 600 USD), Iranian workers are drawn to migrate for better economic prospects.

Iranian workers are set to receive a government approved average salary increase of 20 percent starting in March, amid an annual inflation rate of around 50 percent.

The new minimum monthly wage has been set at 115 million Iranian rials or about 220 US dollars.

Attributing the migration phenomenon to low purchasing power, economic recession, reduced production, and liquidity issues in banks, Golpour identified them as key factors contributing to inflation in the country.