Iranian workers not getting better

Economists said that workers' purchasing power decreased by 50 to 80 percent.

David Mirzayi, an economics expert close to the Iranian regime, told ISNA news agency that "the 19.5 percent wage increase was not reflected on workers' lives".

This means, the economist added, "that the value of the wages received by workers as of March 2018 is lower than that received in March 2016. In other words, workers' purchasing power decreased by 50 to 80 percent".

Mirzayi said that this situation causes many problems to workers' families in the country. "Such conditions - the economist said - prevent workers from meeting their basic needs. As a result, trade unions have repeatedly called on the Labor Minister to address this issue, but unfortunately the problem is not resolved".

Mohammed Reza Pur-Ibrahimi, Chairman of the Economic Parliamentary Commission, also made striking statements, underlining the price increases in key goods.

The Chairman of the Commission recently stated: "The average price of basic needs products increased by 30 to 50 percent compared to last year. This should not be the case".

Most products in Iran have increased compared to last year. For example, meat, dairy products and fruits went up a 20 percent. This means that in many cases these products do not reach the people's tables. The price of imported tea increased by about 20 percent.

While Iranian money continues to depreciate against the dollar, the crisis is expected to deepen as the United States sanctions entered into force on Sunday evening.