Tehran, July 26, IRNA-Prices of various kinds of home appliances have increased significantly since late March, according to a Wednesday report in IRNA's English morning newspaper, the Iran Daily.

It further noted that prices of both imported and domestically-made refrigerators, washing machines, ovens and heaters went up drastically in the past four months.

Refrigerator prices have jumped by 17 percent since March, it said, adding that prices of washing machines have also increased 10-30 percent.

Domestic producers have welcomed the increase in prices as a natural market reaction to higher prices of raw materials used in manufacturing home appliances.

They have also blamed higher labor costs in the wake of the government 's decision to increase workers' wages for the rise in prices.

Smaller home appliances, including microwave ovens, meat grinders and vacuum cleaners have also experienced an average 20-percent rise in prices during the four-month period.

Meanwhile, the Tehran Municipality's Hamshahri newspaper reported on Wednesday that prices of imported home appliances are likely to go up further in the next four weeks.

It however, said that the price of TV sets has remained unchanged as domestic production of popular models is at a favorable level.

Hamshahri quoted the head of Majlis Industries and Mines Commission Hossein Hashemi as saying that the government's decision to hike import tariffs has led to the significant rise in the prices of almost all home appliances.

Hashemi further added that tariffs are used to regulate market prices, whereas improper use of tariff systems will have negative impact on the market.