Minister of Cooperatives, Labour and Social Welfare Ali Rabiei, was removed from office by the Majlis on Wednesday, the latest shuffle in top economic posts as the government struggles to find effective solutions to its mounting economic troubles. In the 290-seat chamber 243 MPs were present. A total of 129 MPs voted for Rabiei’s ouster and 111 voted in his favor, IRNA reported.
This was the second time in six months that the Parliament was voting on a no-confidence measure against the embattled minister. The first time he escaped impeachment by one vote.
Rabiee was under mounting and open criticism from President Hassan Rouhani’s political opponents for controversial senior job assignments in organizations under his control, lingering problems and job insecurity and improper insurance conditions for workers.
Mismanagement
Critics accused him of mismanagement and blamed him for the recent economic problems, which have been exacerbated by the restoration of US sanctions lifted under the 2015 nuclear agreement.
His allies say he is not responsible for the economic crisis and all the associated problems that have resulted in massive public discontent, work stoppages and public demonstrations in some major cities.
In his defense Rabiei asked the parliamentarians if removing him will solve the worsening economic problems.
“Five months from now…people will ask if there has been any fundamental improvement”, he said.
Rabiei, 62, is a longstanding ally of Rouhani and held the labor portfolio in both Rouhnai administrations since August 2013. He also was adviser to reformist former president Mohammad Khatami between 1997 and 2005.
Reshuffle
Rouhani has been under mounting pressure in recent weeks to reshuffle his economic team, which his advocates and opponents insist is dysfunctional and unfit for the huge challenges.
Rouhani’s government last month appointed a new governor for the central bank -- a move seen as a concession to critics who blame Rouhani and his men for all the things that have gone awry over the past five years.
Lawmakers plan to question Rouhani in the coming weeks about his government’s response to the economic crisis, which has seen the rial plummet to a record low against the dollar, pushed up unemployment to 12.5 percent and sent prices of food, home appliances, raw materials for almost all industries through the roof.
