we the youths are unemployed
One major problem the ruling ayatollahs face in Iran is described as the “unemployment tsunami” as millions of people young and old are out of work and furious. Despite many promises provided by the so-called moderate Iranian President Hassan Rouhani to improve the economy, waves after waves of people are adding up to the unemployment population. The ruling elite in Tehran understands very well that this first poses a major security threat for their entire establishment.This concern is very much reflected in Iran’s state-run media on the rising number of unemployed people.
The Tabnak website, associated to former Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) chief Mohsen Rezaie, posted an article on December 26th entitled, “The new wave of unemployed people have Masters and PhD degrees.”
“Around 6,000 PhD specialists across the country are unemployed, and we are currently witnessing a new wave of unemployment, especially amongst those with high-level college education degrees,” the article reads.
Tasnim news agency, belonging to the IRGC Quds Force wrote, “The number of college graduates with Masters Degrees and PhDs that are currently unemployed is very high.”
The state-run Mehr news agency warns that unemployment is the source of many of vice measures. The state-run Javan newspaper reported of an increase in unemployment this year in Iran, and also the year to come. The state-run Eghtestad (economy) Online website warns 2 million more people are on the verge of losing their jobs.
This shows Rouhani’s promises of the economy recovering are actually crumbling. Of course, these concerns don’t end in the regime’s own media. The so-called members of parliament are continuously warning about tsunamis of unemployed people.
“Recession has made everyone disappointed. Unemployment has made the youth very nervous. We have more than 6 million unemployed people,” said Mo’ed Hosseini Sadr said on December 27th. “Allow me to read out article 28 of the constitution. Every individual has the right to choose the job of their choice that is not against Islam, public interest and the rights of others. The government is obligated to provide jobs according to the society’s needs. To all officials and ministers, it is your duty to create jobs. Don’t provide the wrong guidelines. Guide the people correctly. Jobs must be provided for the youth.”
The question is why are all the regime’s experts so worried? Are these concerns about the youths and their living conditions, or is there another reason behind all this economic imbroglio? We find the answer in the words of Iranian MP Reza Rahmani.
“Unemployment is truly a fundamental dilemma facing the country, and in my opinion, this is more important than even security threats. This very issue, especially since most of those unemployed are youths and looking for jobs that have high-level college educations,” he said. (Iranian regime state radio - December 20th, 2015)
Rahmani continues his shocking remarks and sheds more light on the main concern for the ruling ayatollahs in Iran: security threats.
The truth on the ground is that the ruling regime sees everything through a security perspective, especially following the nuclear setbacks it has suffered in dealing with the international community. This has made the regime weaker than ever before, leaving it engulfed in increasing domestic and international crises. It is worth noting that Tehran is gearing for two very sensitive elections in early 2016, making it extremely vulnerable and weak in the face of any type of dilemmas and crises. To add to the regime’s miseries, one must note add the increasing protests staged by job seeking youths, college students and graduates.
Frankly, those ruling the regime in Iran have the right to be extremely worried about the status quo. If the power behind the millions of unemployed workers begins to move and actually takes action, it will pose a major security threat for the regime in its entirety.
Find Pejman at @pj_arad