Iran: Economists Support Raising Minimum Wage, But With a Catch

In Iran, private-sector wage discussions and bargaining between the representatives of employees and employers, as well as the government, which constitute the Supreme Labor Council, to agree upon the pay raise for each year usually start in mid-December and reach its peak in March. 
However, the economic climate at the close of the current fiscal year (ending March 20) hardly makes it possible for one to take side in wage negotiations. 
While the prices of goods have risen sharply and diminished the purchasing power of workers, it was a constant struggle for employers whose businesses faced a heap of thorny issues. 
The Statistical Center of Iran's latest report shows the goods and services consumer price index in Iran registered a year-on-year increase of 42.3% in the 11th Iranian month (Jan. 21-Feb. 19) compared with the similar month of last year.