Iranian authorities 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 1mon tomans (approximately $7) per person per month, which is credited to their accounts for four months,” government spokeswoman Fatemeh Mohajerani 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 85mn 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 programme for years, and December saw a 52% year-on-year inflation rate.