Spech by the delegate of ICWA (Iran) to the 14th BRICS Trade Union Forum 23 April, 2025 − Brasilia, Brazil
In the name of God
Ladies and gentlemen,
Dear friends,
First of all, I would like to thank Brazil for hosting this forum
The Iranian confederation of Workers' associations has been providing services to workers under its umbrella in Iran since 2010. This center consists of more than 1,500 associations and centers at the level of trades and professions in most cities, provinces and nationwide.
Regarding sustainable economic development and decent work, the following measures can be considered effective:
1. Green economy and renewable energy: One of the positive measures that has taken place in this area in Iran in recent years is that the government is providing land from its natural resources to investors at very low prices or even free of charge, and has also provided its own banking resources for projects in the field of solar energy. During the year 2023-2024, significant investment has been made in this area. The country of Iran has made serious investments in this area, and in my opinion, investors in this area will make significant profits in this area in the near future.
2. Development of technical and professional skills, how to improve job skills and provide job opportunities: One of the serious measures that the Iranian confederation of Workers' associations completed in 2024 in cooperation with the National Welfare Organization and the National Center for Occupational Safety and Health Research and Training was to conduct training in the field of occupational safety and health in order to prevent accidents for 5,000 women heads of households. It is noted that the work of women heads of households in Iran often has small and family workshops and the livelihood of this group is done through these workshops. This center has taken valuable measures to empower and prevent accidents during a period of 5 months by conducting short-term training in 31 provinces of the country. Also, another measure of the Iranian confederation of Workers' associations is to conduct skill, safety and occupational health training for 14,000 construction workers with work spread across 31 provinces in 126 cities. It is noted that the construction sector in Iran has serious accidents and often Workers working in this field are among the most honorable and underprivileged workers in society, and accidents will cause serious problems for this group.
In continuation and completion of this paragraph, I would like to request members to create a new model in the field of risk assessment for small and medium-sized businesses based on artificial intelligence so that BRICS member state can have acceptable prevention in order to empower human resources and reduce work-related accidents and protect human resources. Currently, the European Union has the Online and Interactive Risk Assessment (OiRA) model, which is being implemented in the European Union. This platform helps small and medium-sized businesses to assess workplace risks. It guides users to identify hazards, implement preventive measures and monitor risks. I think that BRICS member countries, since they are among the leading countries in the field of artificial intelligence, can definitely create and introduce a successful model in this field.
3. Rural development and sustainable agriculture, the role of sustainable agriculture in job creation and poverty reduction: One of the areas that definitely plays an important role in employment in countries is the agricultural sector, but there is a serious crisis in this area that BRICS member state should seek to create a model to deal with the water shortage crisis and, through the provision of this model, be able to make their water resources available to agricultural development appropriately.
To support small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and their role in creating a sustainable economy, the following points can be mentioned:
4-1 The importance of small and medium enterprises in a sustainable economy: Small and medium enterprises account for a large part of employment and (GDP) in many countries. These businesses have the ability to create flexibility in the economy and reduce dependence on large industries
4-2 Creating job opportunities and reducing poverty: Small and medium enterprises often operate in local communities and provide employment opportunities for young people and low-income people, which helps reduce poverty and improve people's living standards.
4-3 Innovation and diversification in the market: Small and medium enterprises act as drivers of innovation and change in the market. They can easily respond to specific market needs and offer innovative products or services that may be overlooked by large companies
4.4 Government support and financial facilities: Governments can support small and medium-sized businesses by providing financial facilities, tax breaks, and specialized training. These measures help these businesses withstand crises and challenges and grow
4.5 Green economy and sustainability: Small and medium-sized businesses play an important role in reducing pollution and conserving natural resources by adopting sustainable production methods and using optimal resources. This strengthens the green economy and sustainability
4.6 Strengthening local networks and social development: These businesses can contribute to economic sustainability and growth by creating local networks, strengthening social and economic connections at the community level
4.7 The role of labor and employer organizations in facilitating the transition to the formal economy
4.8 Protecting the workforce from occupational hazards and environmental and climate challenges This axis has been proposed for the tropical regions of Iran, considering the effects of climate change on jobs and the need to review protective laws (working outdoors).
4.9 Targeted inspection of workshops exposed to climate change, including workers working outdoors and in tropical areas
4.10 Providing relevant and necessary training and educational services in the field of full implementation of the Occupational Safety and Health Convention (No. 155), adopted in 1981, and the Additional Protocol of 2002 to the Occupational Safety and Health Convention
The debate on decent work is one of the most important issues at the global level, which includes various aspects such as workers' rights, working conditions, and ensuring justice in the workplace.
1. Equal opportunities: It must be ensured that women and men have equal job opportunities and there is no discrimination in this regard. We are currently witnessing the fact that in Iran, female workers are present and active in the workplace along with male workers. The truth of what I said is that the chairman of the board of directors of one of the three supreme labor organizations in the country is a woman. Of course, there are also areas where women's activities face restrictions, which this organization is pursuing and holding numerous meetings with officials to alleviate.
2. Legal protections: Creating and strengthening laws that protect the rights of female workers, especially working mothers, is among the essential issues. It is noted that the current labor law in Iran has rights in this regard, but according to labor organizations in the country, these laws are minimal and there is a need to expand and support the authorities in charge in this area. Of course, The Iranian confederation of Workers' associations through the relevant commissions in the Islamic Consultative Assembly is the percentage of strengthening these laws.
3. Education and empowerment: Providing the necessary training for women in order to improve their job skills and increase job opportunities for them.
4. Determination and analysis of workers' wages based on criteria such as experience, knowledge, skills, education, economic conditions, etc. by artificial intelligence: One of the serious problems, especially in developing countries, is the imbalance between the cost of living and the real inflation of society. Unfortunately, in many countries, wage determination is still based on bargaining in labor groups, employers, and the government, without taking into account real inflation, which can adversely affect the workers' families, motivation, performance, and output of the individual. It seems that creating a standard model based on all the necessary data that is effective in the labor market of countries, based on the use of artificial intelligence, can ensure both wage justice and the motivation and performance of the working and production community. Of course, in some countries, such as the Netherlands and Germany, this technology is used based on specific legal and regulatory frameworks.
Thank you for your attention!