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The recently-appointed top US envoy on Iran, Brian Hook, criticised the EU aid to Tehran on August 24. It sent “the wrong message at the wrong time”, he said. “Foreign aid from European taxpayers perpetuates the regime’s ability to neglect the needs of its people and stifles meaningful policy changes,” Hook said in a statement.
The European funding is part of a wider package of €50mn earmarked in the EU budget for Iran. The aid will be split between Iran’s private sector, environmental projects and fighting harm caused by drugs. About $9.26mn will support Iranian small and medium sized enterprises as well as Iran’s Trade Promotion Organization. Another $9.26mn will support environmental efforts and $2.3mn will counter the effects of drug use.
6.0 Public Sector 6.1 Budget
Hard-pressed Iranian state workers promised Persian new year pay rise by vice president
State workers in Iran who have felt the brunt of the collapse in value of the Iranian rial (IRR) have been promised a pay rise at the start of the 2018/2019 Persian year (starts March 21, 2019) by Iranian Vice President Mohammad Bagher Nobakht, according to Banker Magazine .
Such workers largely have fixed and generally low-paid salaries, thus they have particularly suffered during the severe devaluation of the currency—presently running at around 60% against the dollar in the year to date—brought about by the sanctions-led economic attack mounted against Iran by the US. In dollar terms, the average salary in Iran in January, prior to the onset of the currency woes, worked out at around $750 per month, compared to the $180 it is worth now.
Nobakht, who is also the head of Iran’s Plan and Budget Organisation, reportedly said: “We have enacted a draft law on raising the salaries of state employees and retirees, and this issue is currently under final review.”
“The increase in the salaries of state employees and retirees will be finalised within a week or two, and I will announce it,” he added.
The Rouhani Administration is under immense pressure to alleviate some of the pain felt amid the economic turmoil and recession triggered by the
24 IRAN Country Report March 2019 www.intellinews.com