Iran’s Supreme Council of Revolution announced the approval of incentives to bolster population increase in the country.
Fars News Agency reported on Tuesday that the new plan provides a series of “support and encouragement policies for child bearing families."
The incentives include nine-month paid maternity leave and another 21 months unpaid leave for each child for employees in both public and private sector. Fathers are also allowed a two-week leave according to the new policies.
Mothers under 25 are to receive a 1/2 gold coin for the first child and a whole coin for a second child with other corresponding gifts of gold for mothers bearing children up to 39 years of age.
Parents are also eligible for low cost loans as well as free food and medical baskets.
Higher pension, possibility for distance work for mothers as well as reduced hours is also amongst the incentives for child bearing families.
Iran’s supreme leader recently apologized to Iranians for implementing population control policies in the past decades and has said that Iran has the capacity to provide for a population of 150 million people.
Iran's population is currently estaimated at over 75 million.
