Despite the statements of government officials about the abundance of basic items in the market and their supply at regulatory and appropriate prices, the unfavorable economic conditions and the uncontrolled increase in the prices of basic items have caused concern among various segments of the population in West Azerbaijan.
“The prices of basic goods continue to rise and the prices listed on the goods do not match the prices on store shelves,” a buyer in one of Urmia’s craft stores told ILNA.
“When we protest to the seller, they use sanctions as an excuse. I wonder how sanctions can affect the price of domestically produced rice,” he added. “Or what effect do sanctions have on domestically produced agricultural products such as cucumbers, tomatoes, onions and potatoes?”
“Unfortunately, after several calls and registration of complaints, no investigation has been done through the system and the guild inspectors,” said a housewife, who complained about the high prices.
“Before Eid, the price of a bag of Indian rice varied between 65,000 and 80,000 tomans, but now these prices have reached over 180,000 tomans,” said an elderly Social Security retiree.
“With pensions and skyrocketing prices, I’m ashamed of my family. I worked for a lifetime to live comfortably as I got older, but unfortunately, with daily rising prices, I can only make ends meet,” he said.
“I have not been able to buy meat for the house since Eid. I have bought chicken gizzards several times instead of meat,” said a worker from a Urmia factory.
According to this Urmia worker: “Workers’ salaries do not correspond to market prices and our workers’ table is getting smaller day by day. In the beginning of the year, workers’ wages increased by 20%, but in the market we face a 50% increase and sometimes more commodity prices. . “Workers’ purchasing power is very low.”
