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Being Unemployed While Others Thrive


Up to 20 percent of working-age population in Iran is unemployed
Up to 20 percent of working-age population in Iran is unemployed
A blogger known as "Occupation; reporter," who lost her job following the closure of a reformist daily, asks if there is anyone in Iran that does have job security.

As I am jobless these days, thanks to the closure of “Etemad-e-Melli” (eds: a reformist daily), I spend most of my spare time job hunting in a country that enjoys a very high level of job security....

Obviously we know that "journalism" is definitely not among these [highly secure] jobs. Professionals such as writers, editors, and translators don't seem to have much recognition in this country.

A few years back, I was working on a report about the condition of journalism in Iran for the late "Friday Iran," when during my research I came across a fact that struck me. There is no profession under the title of journalism registered in the Interior Ministry's list of registered jobs: a list that does include shoemakers and peddlers. No sign of journalism could be seen anywhere in that list.

Considering this, it is not fair to expect stability and security in a profession that has not even been registered.

Secondly, I have come across a quite amusing list of secure and stable professions, including being a puppeteer on Iranian national TV.

I know it's hard to believe, but take a look at "Mr. 10+10+10," who has been compering the most bizarre and pointless game shows on television for God-knows-how-long. He is so sure of the security in his profession that we may well be seeing him for another 100 years.

Another example could be the host of the "Neighborhood Game Show" -- going from one neighborhood to the next in search of talents such as imitations of cockroaches, mice, donkeys etc. As his program is appreciated by the thoughtful nation of Iran, he has nothing to be afraid of regarding his profession and may stick around for quite some time.

Another one of our television news reporter friends, who has quite the talent of gathering nonsense and presenting it to the public as news, might rightfully consider his job stable. These people will never be unemployed or penniless or face the depression these problems cause....
Other than this group of beloved fellows, there are others who enjoy a very strange sort of security in their professions. Those are our clergymen and the heads of the legislative, judicial, and other branches.

If you have noticed, Mr. Hashemi-Shahrudi (the former head of Iran’s Judiciary) has never felt the taste of unemployment and never shall. After spending ages in the Judiciary and coming to the end of his time in the institution, he was appointed to the Guardians Council, after merely one week of retirement.

Or take Mr. Dorri Najafabadi for instance: no sooner had he left the country's Judiciary, he was appointed as the senior adviser to the head of the Judiciary.

Another example could be our beloved religious fellow Mr. Mohseni Ezhei. He was appointed state prosecutor as soon as he left his post at the ministry. In short, this group of people enjoy security in their professions, as they say, in the manner of God.

About This Blog

Persian Letters is a blog that offers a window into Iranian politics and society. Written primarily by Golnaz Esfandiari, Persian Letters brings you under-reported stories, insight and analysis, as well as guest Iranian bloggers -- from clerics, anarchists, feminists, Basij members, to bus drivers.

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