Iranian workers are facing a severe economic crisis as ongoing conflict and international sanctions unravel livelihoods across the country. For Rasoul, a 42-year-old engineer in Tehran, financial stability once seemed secure. He had relied on a steady tech job and a backup plan to drive for Snapp, Iran’s ride-sharing service, in case of emergencies. However, the outbreak of war between the United States, Israel, and Iran has turned that worst-case scenario into reality.
Since the U.S. and Israel initiated attacks more than six months ago, ordinary Iranians have shouldered the brunt of a collapsing economy. Inflation has surged, making essential goods like fuel, food, and housing increasingly unaffordable. Many families are now borrowing money just to survive, while major life milestones are being postponed indefinitely.
Although the official unemployment rate in Iran is reported at 9%, independent experts argue the actual numbers are far higher. The desperation for employment is evident in data from Jobvision, a major Iranian job portal, which recorded a 50% increase in resume submissions in late April alone.
The severity of the situation has been acknowledged by government-aligned labor leaders as well. In May, Alireza Mahjoob, head of Iran’s Workers House, admitted on state television that unemployment was significantly worse than previously understood. “We don’t know how much it will afflict our already fragile working class, leaving us all helpless and powerless,” Mahjoob stated.
For professionals like Rasoul, the decline was rapid and multifaceted. In January, during a harsh crackdown on protests, authorities severely restricted internet access. Because Rasoul’s company relied on global networks, the disruptions crippled its delivery services, leading to a steady loss of clients. By mid-February, he was laid off, plunging him into a period of severe depression.
Speaking anonymously out of fear of government retaliation, Rasoul described turning to his backup plan of driving for Snapp at night to pay his bills. However, the strategy quickly failed. The onset of full-scale war at the end of February, combined with tightening U.S. sanctions and a naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, caused fuel prices to skyrocket. Costs for vehicle repairs also ate into his earnings, while ongoing airstrikes made nighttime driving too dangerous. Ultimately, Rasoul was forced to rely on extended family for support.
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