"Based on contracts signed with female Russian employees at the Bushehr (nuclear) power plant, they receive a hijab payment," MP Mehdi Mousavinejad, who represents a constituency in southern Bushehr province, told ISNA. "Unfortunately, they do not properly observe what is (asked of them), which is mentioned in the contracts," he said, while criticising authorities for a lax oversight on Russians working at the plant. Mousavinejad also called on Russians to fulfil their "commitments".
"When one party accepts to pay an amount for a commitment, it is important for the other party to fulfil its commitments." He did not how much money was paid, or how many female technicians are working at the Bushehr nuclear plant. Russia took over as the main contractor at Bushehr in the mid-90s, but the plant is yet to be fully operational and connected to Iran's national grid. A defining element of Iran since the Islamic revolution in 1979, the hijab has translated into women wearing long, loose clothing to conceal their figures.