COUNTRY FACT SHEET ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF IRAN (October 2014) Disclaimer IOM has carried out the gathering of information with great care. IOM provides information at its best knowledge and in all conscience. Nevertheless, IOM cannot assume to be held accountable for the correctness of the information provided. Furthermore, IOM shall not be liable for any conclusions made or any results, which are drawn from the information provided by IOM.
Table of Contents I. GENERAL INFORMATION... 3 1. Facts... 3 2. Transportation... 3 3. Communication Network... 4 II. MEDICAL CARE... 4 1. Availability of Medication... 4 2. Health Insurance... 5 III. VOCATIONAL TRAINING... 6 IV. HOUSING... 6 1. General description... 6 2. Requirements to buy/rent real estate... 6 V. ECONOMIC SITUATION... 7 VI. EMPLOYMENT... 7 1. General description of the employment possibilities... 7 2. Requirements to access the job market... 7 3. Unemployment assistance... 8 4. Pension system... 8 VII. INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS, NGOs AND LINKS... 8 1. International Organizations... 8 2. NGOs... 10 2
I. GENERAL INFORMATION 1. Facts Population: Language: 77,176,930 habitants Main language is Farsi, other spoken languages are Turkish, Kurdish, and Arabic Time: GMT/UTC plus 3.5 Climate: Dress code: Currency: Capital: Summers are hot and dry, while winters are cold and snowy. Weather is pleasant from March to May and September to November. Women have to cover their hair in public and to wear sleeved loose fitting coats to cover their body. Iranian Rials (IRR) Tehran 2. Transportation Road network system The road network system in Iran is well organized. There are good roads connecting the different cities with each other. Iran is connected by road through the Turkish transit to Europe. Rail system In Iran, there are few train connections (12,998 km railway in total). Train connections are mainly from Tehran to other major cities, as well as to Turkey, Pakistan and the Republic of Azerbaijan. Further information regarding Iranian Railways as well as timetable and booking can be found on the homepage of Iran Railways http://www.raja.ir/ Selected train ticket prices (one way), IRR: From To Price Tehran Mashad 730,000 IRR Isfahan Mashad 740,000 IRR Tehran Kerman 616,000 IRR Tehran Tabriz 380,000 IRR Bandar Abbas Mashad 710,000 IRR Qom Ahwaz 470,000 IRR 3
National flights Approximate flight connection prices: From/to Price Tehran/Isfahan IRR 1,227,000 Tehran/Mashad IRR 1,704,000 Tehran/Orumieh IRR 1,428,000 Tehran/Ahwaz IRR 1,350,000 Tehran/Bandar Abbas IRR 2,319,000 Tehran/Tabriz IRR 1,333,000 Tehran/Kerman IRR 1,700,000 3. Communication Network The Iranian Telecommunication system is quite efficient with direct dialling to all countries. The prepaid international calling cards are also available in almost every store all over the country. a) Telephone The Iranian Telecommunication system provides direct dialing to all countries, except Israel. b) Internet Internet services are available, by availability of extended optical fiber network, WiFi, ADSL and mobile data (3G/4G). Many users can now have access to internet with reasonable monthly costs but considering the rules of Islamic Republic of Iran. II. MEDICAL CARE 1. Availability of Medication Despite the fact that Islamic Republic of Iran is one of the producers of medicines in the world and is a pacemaker in production and testing the new medicines, pharmaceutical products are vastly imported under the supervision of Ministry of Health. The Red Crescent has been determined as the focal point for import of some specific medicines and provides such medicines for special patients through designated pharmacies. In general, all medicaments are available in Iran. Medicaments are usually only distributed in small quantities in order to avoid resale on the black market. Helal Ahmar Pharmacy Tehran, Cross section of Talaghani Ave. and Farahani Ave., No.3 Tel: (0098 21) 88803871-5 Aban Pharmacy Tehran, cross section of Karim Khan Zand Ave. & Kheradmand Tel: (0098 21) 88849011-5 A comprehensive list of private pharmacies can be found under the following link: http://www.tehrandoctors.com 4
2. Health Insurance There are two different kinds of health insurance coverage: either through employment or private. a) Insurance through employment Government employee, benefit from free access to public health insurance through their employment. Private companies cover the accidental insurance for their own employees. b) Private Insurance Except for governmental employees, all other Iranian citizens have to insure themselves privately, if their employers do not insure them. To obtain the insurance coverage, it is necessary to provide: - A copy of the Iranian birth certificate; - A passport picture. - Complete medical check up Please find below a list of private health insurances: Dana Address: Tehran, Gandi Ave, St. #15, No. 25 FAX: (0098 21) 88770980 TEL: (0098 21) 88770971-9 ESFAHAN: (0098 311) 2303891-9 SHIRAZ: (0098 711) 2301536-7 MASHHAD: (0098 511) 7267479 AHWAZ: (0098 611) 3363570-4 ORUMIEH: (0098 441) 3455192-3 Iran TEL: +9821 88954650-9 FAX: +9821 88954712/88954669/88954698 Please visit www.iraninsurance.com for detailed information. Asia TEL: +9821 88800950-7 FAX: +9821 88898113 www.bimehasia.com Alborz TEL: +9821 88903201-9 Fax: +9821 88908088 The above insurance companies do not offer private health insurance coverage, however they do offer accidental insurance for individuals, the related costs vary according to the type of coverage, age, etc. There is however one insurance coverage (KHISH FARMA) for persons in difficult social situations (e.g. unemployed) with very low cost (approximately IRR 680,000) per year. With this insurance you can only use the governmental facilities named on the coverage, however it is the best and cheapest private coverage one can get. To have the insurance coverage you have to provide a copy of Iranian birth certificate and one photograph. 5
Khish Farma Tel.: 009821-889660935 -22858721-77894022 ESFAHAN: (0098 311) 6674481-4 SHIRAZ: (0098 711) 2354054/2334919 MASHAD: (0098 511) 8442111-4 AHWAZ: (0098 611) 3365751-2 TABRIZ: (0098 411) 4761901-04 RASHT: (0098 131) 3226470 c) Salamat insurance: which is a new private insurance provided by ministry of health and covers up to 90% of health expenses. Individuals can register for Salamat insurance through its website: http://www.bimesalamat.ir/isc/isc.html III. VOCATIONAL TRAINING There are many private vocational training centers in Iran. Due to the high rate of unemployment, the Government is trying to promote these centers. A list of schools and other institutions related to education/training is available in all municipalities. More information about vocational training is available on the following websites: http://www.mohme.gov.ir http://www.irantvto.com/ IV. HOUSING 1. General description In general, there are sufficient number of houses and apartments available in Tehran and throughout the country. The price for purchasing or renting a residence depends on the area. Subsidized housing is only available for government employees. There is another possibility for non-employees; they can request for housing loan through Maskan Bank. Returnees without a place to stay can stay in hotels until they find a solution. 2. Requirements to buy/rent real estate a) Purchasing property Only Iranian citizens can purchase private property. The Iranian citizenship must be proven. To buy an apartment, one can refer to real estate agencies. Loans can be granted for individuals, who want to buy a house or an apartment. The allocation of a loan depends on the proof of sufficient financial resources stability. Considering the constant expansion of private banking system in Iran, people are facilitated for gaining loan with proportionate interests within appropriate loan repayment period for purchasing houses. b) Renting property The following formalities have to be fulfilled in order to rent an apartment in Iran once signing the lease agreement: - A proper ID; 6
- Deposit money between IRR 50,000,000 to 1,000,000,000 - it varies in different areas, it can be an even higher amount, it is negotiable. - 12 cheques for the rental at each month, plus a cheque equal to 10 times as much as the deposit. c) Availability of real estate for buy/rental There are many private real estate agencies in Iran, but no governmental agency. The returnees should consult agencies that cover the area where they want to move in. A list of real estate agency addresses can be found on: http://www.irrest.com/agents/index.htm http://www.tehranhome.com/agency.asp?code=45®ion=4 Tehran: In the capital, the average rate for a two-bedroom apartment in a good residential area is around IRR 10 000 000 50 000 000 per month. This amount can be further negotiated with the landlord and has to be paid as a security deposit and monthly rent, i.e. 100,000,000 Rials as deposit and 20 000 000 Rials monthly payment. In other big cities: In the bigger Iranian cities such as Esfahan, Shiraz and Mashad the average rent for a two-bedroom apartment is around IRR 15,000,000. Far away from the city centers there are cheaper accommodations available. In rural areas: The rent for a two-bedroom apartment is around IRR 8,000,000. V. ECONOMIC SITUATION Iran s economy is a mixture of central planning and private initiative business. The countryside is based on agriculture and small-scale business. However, the economy depends predominantly on the revenue from petroleum. The general economic situation is not stable for the immediate future. The government s major concerns are to fight inflation and unemployment. A large part of the population lives under the poverty line. VI. EMPLOYMENT 1. General description of the employment possibilities The rate of unemployment in Iran is approximately about 21.8 % currently (Officially announced is 12.6%). The yearly job creation by governmental organizations and private companies does not match with the number of people entering the job market. Therefore the competition is very high, especially in considering, that 70% of the Iranian population is aged fewer than 35. 2. Requirements to access the job market To access the labour market, it is necessary to hold a birth certificate and to get a special permission from relevant labor union. This rule applies to all Iranian citizens. Construction workers: average salary is between IRR 300,000 and 600,000 per day 7
Taxi drivers: Municipality workers: Computer Specialists: average salary is between IRR 300,000 and 500,000 per day average daily salary is between IRR 50 000 and 100 000 per day approximately IRR 80,000 per hour 3. Unemployment assistance There is no unemployment assistance provided by the state. 4. Pension system In order to benefit from the national pension plan, it is necessary to have worked for a minimum of 20 years in Iran and to have contributed financially to the national pension plan. Besides the national pension plan, it is possible to contract private insurance. Ministry of labor is pursuing a comprehensive plan to be approved by Majlis (parliament) on which, lots of jobs can be created for the jobless through specific cooperatives; also, there are many placement agencies in big cities which contribute to the job demanders to find job. VII. INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS, NGOs AND LINKS 1. International Organizations Office of the Resident Coordinator of the UN Systems Operational Activities in the Islamic Republic of Iran United Nations Building NO. 39, Shahrzad blvd., Darrous, Tehran P.O. Box 15875-4557 Tel: (0098 21) 2286 0691-4, Fax: (0098 21) 2286 9547 http://www.ir.undp.org/iran/en/home.html Email: registry. ir@undp.org International Organization for Migration (IOM) No. 4, Ladan Alley, Khorsand St opposite of Jam-e-Jam, Valli-e-Asr Ave Tel: 009821 22048886-7/ 22045364 Fax: 009821 22044929 http://www.iomtehran.net/ Email: iomtehran@iom.int Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Ministry of Jihad-e-Agriculture, 17th Floor, Room 1701 Keshavarz Boulevard, Tehran P.O. Box 15875-4557 Tel: (0098 21) 81363701-2 2 / 8960731, Fax: (0098 21) 8964104 http://www.fao.org/countryprofiles/index/en/?iso3=irn Email: FAO-IRN@Field.FAO.ORG UN International Drug Control Program (UNODC) No. 22, Behesht Dead-end, Eram St, Shahid Khodami St, Vanak Sq. Tel: (0098 21) 88878377-81, Fax: (0098 21) 88796700 www.unodc.org/iran Email: fo.iran@unodc.org 8
United Nations Development Program (UNDP) United Nations Building NO. 39, Shahrzad blvd., Darrous, Tehran P.O. Box 15875-4557 Tel: (0098 21) 2286 0691-4 -22860925 Fax: (0098 21) 2286 9547 http://www.ir.undp.org/iran/en/home.html Email: registry.ir@undp.org United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Bahman Building, Sa adabad Cultural Complex Darband Sq., Tajrish Suare, Tehran, 19894 Tel: (0098 21) 22751315/ 22740141-3, Fax: (0098 21) 2274 0144 http://whc.unesco.org/en/statesparties/ir/ Email: tehran@unesco.org United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) United Nations Building NO. 39, Shahrzad blvd., Darrous, Tehran P.O. Box 15875-4557 Tel: (0098 21) 286 0691-4, Fax: (0098 21) 22857485 www.unfpa-iran.org Email: registry@unfpa.un.or.ir United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) No. 5, East Emdad St., North Shiraz Ave., Shiraz Sq., Tehran / 19917 Tel: (0098 21) 8805 7201-11 Fax: (0098 21) 8805 72 12 www.unhcr.org.ir Email: irnte@unhcr.ch United Nations Information Center (UNIC) United Nations Building NO. 39, Shahrzad blvd., Darrous, Tehran P.O. Box 15875-4557 Tel: (0098 21) 2287 3837 2286 0691-4/ 2286 0925-8 Fax: (0098 21) 2287 3395 www.unic-ir.org Email: unic@unic.un.or.ir United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) No. 216, Nezami st., Ghoba st., Shariati Ave., Tehran 19449 P.O. Box. 19395/1176 Tel: (0098 21) 2259 4994 Fax: (0098 21) 2259 4948 www.unicef.org/iran Email: tehran@unicef.org United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) United Nations Building NO. 39, Shahrzad blvd., Darrous, Tehran P.O. Box 15875-4557 Tel: (0098 21) 2286 0691-4/22868044 Fax: (0098 21) 2286 7362 http://www.unido.org/en/where-we-work/offices/country-offices Email: office.iran@unido.org United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) United Nations Building NO. 39, Shahrzad blvd., Darrous, Tehran P.O. Box 15875-4557 Tel: (0098 21) 2286 7967 / 2286 0691-4 /22860925-8 Fax: (0098 21) 22869187 http://iran-un.org/en/u-n-a-m-a/ E-Mail: registry.ir@undp.org 9
World Food Program (WFP) United Nations Building NO. 39, Shahrzad blvd., Darrous, Tehran. P.O. Box 15875-4557 Tel: (0098 21) 2286 0691-4 / 2286 7640 / 2286 7480 / 2286 3499 Fax: (0098 21) 2286 3211 www.wfp.org/countries/iran Email: WFP.TEHRAN@WFP.ORG World Health Organization (WHO) 12th Floor, West wing, Ministry of Health & Medical Education (next to Abou Rayhan High School), Simaye Iran St., Phase 5 Sannat Square, Shahrake Qods, Tehran, Iran, P.O. Box 14665/1565 Tel.: (0098 21) 8836 3979-80 / 8836 3718 Fax: (0098 21) 8836 4100 www.emro.who.int/iran Email: WHOTEH@IRA.EMRO.WHO.INT United Nations Assistance Mission in Iraq (UNAMI) No. 22, Behesht Dead-end, Eram St, Shahid Khodami St, Vanak Sq. Tel: (0098 21) 88878377-81 Fax: (0098 21) 88796700 Red Crescent (IRCS) Cenral Red Crescent, Shahid Yasemi St Before Vanak Sq., Valli-e-Asr Ave Tel: 009821 88662619 / 88662618 Fax: 009821 88201052 http://rcs.ir/en/ Email: intdep@rcs.ir International Red Cross No. 75, east Taban Alley After Pole Mir Damad, Africa Blvd, Tehran Tel: 009821 88785503, Fax: 009821 88783370 Telegram: CROISSANT-ROUGE TEHERAN Telex: 224259 RCIA-IR. international: intdep@irrcs.org national: IRCS Public Relations Department, Ostad Nejatollahi Ave., Tehran Tel: (0098 21) 8907335 / 8897826, Fax: (0098 21) 8801749 http://www.icrc.org/eng/where-we-work/middle-east/iran/index.jsp 2. NGOs NGOs working in the medical field Medecins sans frontieres (MSF) Tel. (0098 21) 22901385-7 (Mr. Manuel LANNAUD) http://www.msf.org/country/iran Medecins du Monde (MDM) Tel: (0098 21) 22049428 or Tel. (0098 21) 22049570 Society to support children suffering from cancer (MAHAK) 10
No.36, Chizar Sq. Neda Sq. Medical BLDGTel: (0098 21) 2201312 Fax: (0098 21) 22451414 E-Mail: info@mahak-charity.org Charity foundation for special diseases No.8, 17 alley shahid akbary, valieasr Ave. P.O.Box 3333-15815 Tel: (0098 21) 8713137 Fax: (0098 21) 8710796 E-Mail: info@cffsd.org URL: www.cffsd.org NGOs working with women and children Iranian Women s Solidarity Association Tehran PO Box 13165-117 Tel. (0098 21) 6404477 or 6413636 Fax: (0098 21) 6406840 Wsa_iran.ir@hotmail.com International Union of Moslem Women Tehran, PO BOX 13165/117 Tel. (0098 21) 6162546 or 6413636 Fax: (0098 21) 640684 Modern Attitude Mothers Institute PO Box 15115-451, Tehran Email: mam@nasim.net Organization for Defending Victims of Violence (ODVV) 1st and 2nd floor, Mirsarabi, North Felestine, Tehran P.O Box 16765-911 Tel.: (0098 21) 8896 3091/88964943, Fax: (0098 21) 88954928 Email: odvv@neda.net http://www.odvv.orgra ad Rehabilitation Goodwill Complex No. 74, Shahid Mir Saraby Alley Shahrak Ghods Hormozan Ave, Pirouzan S Tel: (0098 21) 88082266 or 98 21 88098881 Fax: (0098 21) 8807 6326 Email: ra ad@apadana.com URL: www.raad-ngo.org Kahrizak Doctor Hakim Zadeh St, After Behesht Zahra, Qom Road, Tehran P.O. Box: 18745/4154 19617, Iran Tel: (0098 229) 2522985-7 Fax: (0098 229) 2522988 Email: lcs-ngo@kahrizaklcs.org URL: http://www.kahrizak.org Emergency Contacts: Police: 110 Emergency: 115 Information: 118 Fire: 125 Taxi: 133 11
postal codes: 140 Earthquake emergencies, injured aid, and drugs info: 147 24 Hrs Pharmacies info: 199 Date & Time: 192 Gas emergency center: 194 Flights info: 199 12