While the fourteenth government claims to support young managers to increase dynamism in the country's executive sector, the appointment of a 70-year-old retired manager as the CEO of Padjam Polymer Development Company questions this claim.
Return to Management After Retirement
Majid Khodabakhsh has been appointed to this position despite being removed from management in the country's governorate sector in 2018 due to the law prohibiting the use of retired managers. Now, after about 8 years, he has astonishingly returned to an executive position.
Khodabakhsh has a history of being the governor of East Azerbaijan, and it is rumored that this appointment was accompanied by a cycle of corruption and favoritism. His weak performance as governor, which led to continuous protests from the people of East Azerbaijan, has added to the ambiguities of this appointment.
Behind-the-Scenes Agreements
Some sources have revealed that Khodabakhsh's dealings with Salari, the head of the Social Security Organization, and Ali Panahi's group in the Ministry of Welfare, to meet the demands of this group in Padjam contracts, were a significant factor in this selection. One part of this agreement was Khodabakhsh's consent to add an annex to Salari's brother's contracting agreement in this company, paving the way for this retired manager to enter the Padjam complex.
Connections and Privileges
Additionally, Khodabakhsh's ethnic background with Pezeshkian and his close connection with the head of the fourteenth government during his representation of Tabriz city might be another special privilege for this retired manager.
Silence of Oversight Bodies
The silence of oversight bodies regarding such appointments has previously turned the country's industrial sector into a haven for retired managers with favoritism. This situation shows that the policy of selling seats and distributing posts, without considering the necessity of needs and specialization in the energy industry, continues to cause a managerial decline in this economically significant cycle of the country.
