Problems and Challenges Faced by Female Workers in Iran

In this episode, we'll be looking at two distinct but perhaps connected situations. First, the chronic struggles faced by female workers across the country, and second, a recent deadly explosion in Bandar Abbas.Reports indicate that women in Iran face significant gender and social inequalities imposed by the clerical regime. Despite often being essential household breadwinners, they aren't legally recognized as such.And this isn't just a minor inconvenience. These women are frequently forced to work long hours, often beyond standard limits, in production workshops. Then, after exhausting shifts, they return home to carry out household duties, caring for children and ailing family members. It's a double burden.Getting accurate data on these workers is difficult. Many are in informal jobs or home-based occupations, making them particularly vulnerable.Host 2: And vulnerable they are. These informal workers are frequently employed under vague or pre-signed blank contracts. A "pre-signed blank contract," or "white-signed contract," is where the worker signs before key terms like salary or duration are filled in, giving the employer total control. This practice is described as illegal or exploitative in many places and strips workers of basic protections.As a result, they often earn less than the legal minimum wage. And speaking of the minimum wage, for 2025, it was set at about 10 million and 390 thousand tomans, or roughly 111 US dollars.Which is incredibly low considering the cost of living. According to government media, that minimum wage isn't even enough to cover the weekly expenses of a three-person family. A member of the High Council of Workers’ Unions estimated the real cost of living is closer to over 50 million tomans, or about 530 USD.Support the show