Iran's government announced on Monday a plan to pay most citizens about $7 every month. Fatameh Mohajerani, the government spokeswoman, said the payments aim to "preserve households' purchasing power, control inflation, and ensure food security." However, the payment covers only a small part of basic needs, which cost over $200 monthly. In December, protests spread across cities as economic hardships grew worse. Merchants, traders, and university students shut down markets and protested on campuses. Iran's currency lost more than half its value against the dollar in one year. Inflation was over 42% in December alone. Soon after the protests began, the government replaced the central bank governor. Last week, it reformed currency exchange policies that used to subsidise some imports of essential goods. The government plans to stop spending $10 billion yearly on import subsidies. Instead, it will give this money directly to the people through monthly payments. This payout can buy about 100 eggs, 1 kg of red meat, or a few kilograms of rice or chicken today. Labour Minister confirmed that 80 million Iranians will receive this payment, covering most of the population.