Portering in the mountainous borders of Baneh, with a heavy load on one’s back, and the captain of a wooden boat in the waters of the Persian Gulf, both play a role in securing livelihoods and contributing to Iran's peripheral economy. These two occupations, which have long been symbols of danger and hardship in the lives of border residents, have undergone profound transformations in 1405 amid war, sanctions, and disruptions in conventional trade routes.
Changes in Import Policies
The Iranian government is attempting to legalize portering and boat trading, turning these activities into part of the country's official import network. As Iran's access to certain trade routes has been restricted, these two methods have been highlighted as ways to secure consumer goods, food supplies, and industrial parts. In line with this policy, the Law for Organizing and Monitoring Border Trade was passed in Bahman 1402, which authorized imports through portering and boat trading for five years.
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Economic and Social Consequences
Although the official aim of this law is to support the livelihoods of border residents, beyond this, the list of permitted goods and the methods of utilizing portering and boat trading indicate a change in the nature of these activities. Especially as conventional foreign trade routes face restrictions, these two methods play an increasing role in supplying the country's necessary goods.
The Director General of the Export and Import Regulations Office of the Ministry of Industry, Mine and Trade has communicated to Iran's customs the import of raw materials needed for petrochemical and polymer industries through portering and boat trading. This action clearly indicates a shift in import policies and the use of portering and boat trading capacities as official trade tools.
However, these developments are not limited to changing the route of goods imports; they also have profound implications for porters and border regions. Porters who have worked for years as labor in border trade now face conditions that, according to critics, have diminished their role in the border trade chain. Under the new laws, companies and cooperatives have also been permitted to operate in this field, which means reduced job opportunities for traditional porters.
Moreover, reports indicate that traditional portering still carries serious risks. Statistics from human rights organizations suggest that the decrease in incidents in recent years is largely due to reduced porter activity and border restrictions. These changes occur while traditional portering remains a livelihood in border areas.
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