He clarified the process of issuing rulings for salary and benefits increases for non-faculty employees in the Ministry and affiliated institutions, stating that in previous years, based on the Fifth Development Plan, the affiliated General Services Management Authority increased the bonuses subject to Chapter Ten of the mentioned law by 50 percent. However, some departments were unable to implement this increase due to lack of authorization and funding. The esteemed Vice President and head of the Planning Organization provided authorization in a letter on the last day of Bahman 1398 (February 18, 2020), which stated that departments whose employees have not benefited from this increase could increase their bonuses under Chapter Ten of the General Services Management Law up to 50% after the approval of the Cabinet and the Salary and Wage Council, subject to the existence of funding in the annual budgets.
According to Dr. Nazarpour, "Based on Article 29 of the Sixth Development Plan, the government is obligated to establish appropriate mechanisms within the salary and benefits payment systems and the taxation system designed so that the difference in salaries and benefits between officials, heads, managers, and employees under this article in similar jobs and conditions does not exceed (20%) in any case and is legal decision-making related, as well as the provisions of Article 30 of the aforementioned law, the government is obligated to conduct necessary studies to establish justice in the payment system, eliminate discrimination, and adjust benefits for current employees, retirees, and pensioners of different sectors. This applies to all employees, including those subject to Article 1 of the Permanent Development Program Laws. "
The Deputy of Administrative, Financial and Resource Management of the Ministry of Science added: In this regard, and based on the provisions of Circular No. 696488 dated 30/11/1398 (February 19, 2020) from the Planning and Budget Organization of the country, authorization was provided for the utilization of the mentioned increases for other executive departments starting from 01/12/1398 (February 20, 2020), and subsequently, the Ministry of Health, Treatment and Medical Education and the Ministry of Education acted accordingly before this Ministry.
He further mentioned the negotiations and correspondences of Dr. Gholami, the esteemed Minister of Science, with the esteemed Vice President and head of the Planning and Budget Organization regarding this issue, saying that Dr. Nobakht, in response to letter No. 353243/6 dated 28/12/1398 (March 17, 2020) of this Ministry, stated in a letter: "According to the announcement from your Ministry regarding the commitment to cover financing resulting from this increase from dedicated and general (allocated) credits, savings can be made by selling excess movable and immovable assets with adherence to relevant regulations, including the proposal and approval of the subject in the Board of Trustees meetings, and after ensuring the provision of mentioned resources, is permissible from the perspective of this organization."
Dr. Nazarpour, regarding the correspondence with the esteemed Vice President and head of the Administrative and Employment Organization, also stated that they mentioned in response to the Ministry of Science's letter: "Nonetheless, if the salaries and benefits of employees subject to Article 1 of the Permanent Development Program Laws are at a significantly lower level than those of employees subject to the General Services Management Law, this organization, in case of necessary funding provided by the Planning and Budget Organization, agrees to apply the requested increases and is prepared to conduct the necessary reviews in this regard."
The Deputy of Administrative, Financial and Resource Management of the Ministry of Science emphasized: Based on the existing laws and resolutions, as well as the mentioned inquiries, the rulings for salary and benefits increases for non-faculty employees of the Ministry and affiliated institutions have been issued, and all actions have been carried out in accordance with relevant laws and directives.
He clarified: It is noteworthy that the discrepancy between the salaries and benefits of non-faculty members employed in the headquarters, universities, higher education and research institutions under this Ministry and the salaries and benefits of non-faculty employees (non-medical) of the Ministry of Health, Treatment and Medical Education, who are also subject to Article 1 of the Permanent Development Program Laws, has led to dissatisfaction among non-faculty members employed in the headquarters and affiliated institutions. This issue has been highlighted in the letter from the esteemed Minister to Dr. Nobakht and employees' requests for alignment of their salaries and benefits with those of non-faculty members of the Ministry of Health, Treatment and Medical Education has been communicated to the head of the Planning and Budget Organization.
Dr. Nazarpour concluded by stating: The opinion of the esteemed Minister and all related officials in the headquarters of the Ministry of Science is that implementing the alignment of salaries and benefits of non-faculty employees of the Ministry with those of the Ministry of Health represents a significant step towards restoring the rights of the diligent and hardworking staff of the Ministry and the affiliated universities and institutions. Unfortunately, the special conditions of the country have delayed the execution of this plan.
He added: The approval of salary increases occurred after the submission of the budget bill for 1399 to the Islamic Consultative Assembly, and considering that approximately four months have passed since the current year, no funding has yet been allocated for the financial burden resulting from salary increases of both faculty and non-faculty personnel in 1399. However, the position of the Ministry of Science is that with the necessary funding and budgeting in this regard from the Planning and Budget Organization, surely the issue of increasing the salaries and benefits of non-faculty personnel can be put back on the agenda of the Board of Trustees of universities and research institutions, and after approval and notification, necessary adjustments to personnel rulings will be made.
