TEHRAN: Iranian authorities on Sunday announced they will give a monthly allowance to every citizen in the country to alleviate economic pressure, after a week of protests.
“Individuals can receive an amount equivalent to one million Tomans (approximately $7) per person per month, which is credited to their accounts for four months,” government spokeswoman Fatemeh MoHajjerani told state TV.
She said the amount will be given to every Iranian for four months in the form of credit that can be used to purchase certain goods and is intended to “reduce the economic pressure on the people.”
In Iran, which has a population of more than 85 million people, the minimum wage is roughly $100 (85 euros) and average monthly salaries are around $200.
Iranians mostly use mobile phones and debit cards for their daily purchases instead of cash.
Iran’s economy has been grappling with biting US and international sanctions over Tehran’s nuclear program for years, and December saw a 52 percent year-on-year inflation rate.
The national currency has lost more than a third of its value against the US dollar over the past year, causing a sharp decrease in people’s purchasing power and broad discontent in the country.
Sunday marked the eighth day of sporadic protests in the Islamic republic over economic uncertainty in the wake of the depreciation.
The protests have touched, to varying degrees, at least 40 different cities, mostly medium-sized and in the country’s west, according to an AFP tally based on official announcements and media reports.
At least 12 people have been killed, including members of the security forces, according to a toll based on official reports.