Legal and Administrative Challenges in Distinguishing Voluntary and Involuntary Unemployment in Iran: A Comparative Study with Selected Countries

Varasteh Menshadi, Milad

doi:10.22034/qjo.2025.523678.1431

Legal and Administrative Challenges in Distinguishing Voluntary and Involuntary Unemployment in Iran: A Comparative Study with Selected Countries

Document Type : Original Article

Author

Milad Varasteh Menshadi

Master’s Degree in Criminal Law and Criminology; Human Resources Employee, Social Security Organization.

10.22034/qjo.2025.523678.1431

Abstract

Purpose: This study aims to analyze the legal and administrative challenges in distinguishing voluntary and involuntary unemployment within Iran’s unemployment insurance system from the perspective of the Social Security Organization and to propose evidence-based policy recommendations through a comparative approach.
Method: Using a mixed-method design, the research includes a critical review of relevant laws and regulations, statistical analysis of 20,000 unemployment insurance claims submitted between 2016 and 2024, and semi-structured interviews with 12 key experts analyzed through conventional qualitative content analysis. A qualitative comparative study was also conducted on seven selected countries—Germany, Canada, Australia, France, Turkey, South Korea, and Japan—based on credible secondary sources.
Findings: The results reveal fundamental weaknesses and interpretive ambiguities in legal definitions, particularly regarding the concept of “without will or consent,” along with structural and operational barriers such as fragmented information systems, bureaucratic complexity, lengthy procedures, limited inspection effectiveness, and insufficient specialized human resources.
Conclusion: Drawing on international experiences—especially from Canada and Australia—the study emphasizes the need for structural reforms, process redesign, digital integration, standardization of termination reporting, and human resource capacity building to enhance accuracy, efficiency, transparency, and fairness in the identification process and ensure the financial sustainability of the unemployment insurance fund.

Keywords

Keywords: Voluntary Unemployment

Involuntary Unemployment

Unemployment Insurance

Executive Challenges

Iran