Labor layoffs, which had intensified in the final months of 2025 due to economic instability, have taken on broader dimensions in early 2026. The onset of war, the severance of trade relations, and a deepening economic crisis have pushed the labor market to the brink.
In the city of Rasht alone, at least 2,000 workers have lost their jobs over the past one to two months. Nationwide, the loss of approximately 135,000 jobs, the exit of nearly one million people from the labor market, and the filing of at least 191,000 unemployment insurance claims signal an intensifying employment crisis and mounting pressure on workers’ livelihoods.
The ILNA news agency previously reported an upward trend in workforce reductions across manufacturing, industrial, and service units in the Rasht region. According to labor sources, at least 2,000 workers have been terminated recently, including:
- 490 workers at the “Pink” company.
- 500 workers at “Paya Modern.”
- 190 workers at “Gilara.”
- 55 workers at a poultry farm.
Yesterday, during a joint meeting of labor and employer organizations, activists highlighted the widespread consequences of the war on the labor market.
According to statements made at the meeting, approximately 135,000 jobs were directly destroyed during the course of the conflict. Furthermore, prior to the most recent military strikes following the “12-Day War,” nearly one million people exited the labor market, with only about 300,000 having returned to formal employment. It was also reported that 200,000 new applicants had been added to the unemployment insurance rolls.
These figures follow a grim year-end for 2025, which saw at least 2,457 cases of layoffs or downsizing, 658 cases of unemployment, nine factory closures, and 2,259 additional cases of labor instability.
