Retirement Associations Must Become Centers for Pursuing This Group's Demands

Deputy for Development and Resource Management of Ilam Governorate, emphasizing the need to form and strengthen retirement associations, said active associations can pave the way for coherent follow-up on retirees' problems by aggregating demands and establishing effective communication with officials.

Emphasizing the necessity of forming and strengthening pension centers, the vice president of Ilam Governorate's management and resources development said: Active centers can provide a context for consistent follow-up of retirees' problems by aggregating demands and establishing effective communication with officials.

According to the report of Ambassador Arjan from Ilam, Afshin Karimi expressed his gratitude for the initiative of the General Directorate of Cooperation, Labor and Social Welfare of Ilam province in honoring the retirees and said: Respecting people who have spent many years of their lives serving the people and the country is not a blessing, but a right that these loved ones owe to the society and the government.

Referring to the increase in the population of the elderly and retirees, he added: This demographic change requires that the needs of this group be given serious attention in urban planning, road improvement, medical services, welfare facilities and social activities.

The Deputy Director of Management and Resources Development of Ilam Governorate stated that in addition to daily expenses, retirees are faced with the expenses of education and marriage of their children and the increase of medical expenses, he clarified: the limitation of supplementary insurance coverage and the delay in the payment of medical expenses, especially for families with terminally ill patients, are among the problems that must be followed seriously.

Emphasizing the necessity of activating retirement centers in the executive and provincial levels, Karimi said: retirees have a significant social capacity and can, through their organizations, raise and pursue their demands in a coherent manner with managers, representatives of the Majlis and Islamic councils.

He continued: It is suggested that one of the members of the retirees' association of each institution be selected as an honorary advisor to the relevant director so that the issues of this group are directly reflected in the decision-making processes. Also, meeting of managers with retirees should not be limited to special occasions and should be on the agenda continuously.

Referring to the capacity of support facilities in the field of small and home-based businesses, the deputy governor of Ilam pointed out: related institutions should provide information and benefits for the families of retirees in coordination with the operating banks.

In the end, Karimi emphasized: by strengthening the retirement centers, maintaining social relations and involving this group in advisory affairs, the experience and knowledge of retirees should be used and the follow-up of their demands should be turned into a continuous and operational program.