Tehran beggars make 1,500 dollars a month

Updated at: 1425 PST, Tuesday, May 04, 2010 ShareThis story
TEHRAN: Beggars in the Iranian capital earn the equivalent of 1,500 dollars a month -- five times the official minimum wage – a local news agency reported on Tuesday.

"Tehran beggars make at least 500,000 rials (50 dollars) a day or 15 million rials a month," the agency quoted Sadegh Avvali, the official in charge of social services at Tehran municipality, as saying.

He said that most beggars roaming the streets asking for change in the sprawling capital come from villages and remote towns or are foreigners, and that authorities round up about 300 vagrants and beggars daily.

Under a municipality initiative, panhandlers and vagrants would be picked off the streets and sent to shelters at night, the news agency quoted him as saying.

Beggars, including women and children, routinely roam the Iranian capital and other large cities, especially the religious hubs such as the northeastern city of Mashhad.

Homeless children and adults also often sell flowers and chewing gum at busy intersections.

The Iranian minimum wage equals about 300 dollars a month, and many Iranians believe that giving alms is a charitable act that also prevents mishaps.

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Minimum wage set at Rs7000 in Labour Policy 2010
Updated at: 1645 PST, Saturday, May 01, 2010 ShareThis story
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani on Saturday announced a minimum Rs 7000 salary for laborers and a policy that aims at transforming the lives of working class for a better future.

Addressing a large gathering here at the Convention Centre Prime Minister Gilani apprised the large gathering of workers from across the country about the features of the new labour policy that was given an approval at a special cabinet meeting convened earlier in the day.

He said the Cabinet approved the Labour Policy 2010 that was reflective of the vision of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto and was an attempt to implement it practically. He said the policy would benefit around 50 million labours who were playing a key role in the progress and development of the country.

Prime Minister Gilani said the credit goes to President Asif Ali Zardari for pursuing the labour friendly policies.

Gilani quoted a hadith of Holy Prophet (Peace be upon Him) to pay a labour his wages before sweat dries and said it was the endeavour of his government to follow it in letter and spirit.

Gilani informed the gathering about the measures and said trilateral monitoring committees would be set up at provincial and federal level to improve working, resolve problems and increase efficiency of the labours.

He assured that contract employees would be regularised in government departments. He also announced salaries will be made through banks, retired registered workers will get medical facilities, raise in pensions would be in accordance to increase in government pensions, technical education for children, manpower information centres in cities, training of trainers, para-medical staff to get specialised training, pensionable age limit under the old-age benefit lowered to 50, smart card through Nadra so that registered workers get all facilities, Rs 15,000 for out of job workers and legal support, free medical treatment for labours.

He said the workers have been given the right to have Unions and labour bodies to protect their rights. Gilani was appreciative of all the political parties and the provincial governments for their input and endorsing the new labour policy.