Strikes by teachers and public employees across the Kurdistan Region have entered their second week, leading to widespread school closures and hunger strikes as protesters demand overdue salaries. The Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) has declared full support for the demonstrators, while the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) insists that a new agreement with Baghdad will resolve the crisis. However, skepticism remains high, with teachers vowing to continue striking until all financial entitlements are fulfilled.
Teachers and Public Employees Intensify Protests
For over a week, Sulaymaniyah has witnessed growing unrest as teachers and public employees continue their strike against chronic salary delays. Demonstrators are demanding that their wages be integrated into Iraq’s Tawteen banking system instead of the KRG’s Hazhmari Mn system, arguing that the former would provide more reliable payments.
The protests have led to widespread school closures, with educators from Halabja, Garmian, and Raperin joining the movement. Teachers accuse the government of failing to uphold financial commitments, emphasizing that they will not return to classrooms until their demands are met.
Adding to the tensions, twelve teachers have entered their seventh day of a hunger strike in front of the United Nations office in Sulaymaniyah, calling for international pressure on authorities. Medical professionals monitoring the hunger strikers warn that their health is deteriorating, with symptoms including low blood sugar and blood pressure. “The situation is becoming critical,” said Dr. Hawri Mohammed, a physician who examined the protesters. Emergency services have reported cases of severe weakness among the strikers, raising concerns about potential hospitalizations.
Meanwhile, the Kurdistan Teachers’ Professional Organization in Erbil issued a memorandum in support of the protests, stating that Sulaymaniyah’s teachers are voicing the grievances of all Kurdistan Region employees. The organization condemned government inaction and called for an immediate solution to the crisis.
KRG Announces Salary Agreement, But Skepticism Remains
In response to mounting pressure, Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Finance Minister Awat Janab Noori announced that an agreement had been reached with Iraq’s Ministry of Finance to resolve salary delays. He claimed that January salaries would be disbursed within two days and assured that no further delays would occur in 2025.
“In our recent meetings in Baghdad, there has been a strong understanding between the KRG and Iraqi finance ministries. We have ensured that salaries will be paid on time,” Noori stated in a press conference.
Despite these assurances, striking teachers and employees remain skeptical, citing past unfulfilled promises. Protesters insist that all overdue wages—including unpaid December 2024 salaries and stalled job promotions since 2014—must be settled before they consider ending their demonstrations.
The financial dispute between the KRG and Iraq has long been a source of tension. The Iraqi government has accused the KRG of failing to meet its financial obligations, while the KRG contends that Baghdad has not fulfilled its commitments. This ongoing conflict has left thousands of civil servants in financial limbo, fueling widespread frustration and mass protests.
PUK and Kurdistan Region President Call for Resolution
The Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) has expressed full support for the striking teachers, calling their demands legitimate and urging the government to act swiftly. In a statement, the PUK’s Political Bureau declared that “the phenomenon of delayed and withheld salaries is unjustifiable,” emphasizing that the Federal Court’s rulings on salary entitlements must be implemented without political interference.
PUK President Bafel Jalal Talabani recently concluded a visit to the United States, reportedly advocating for a resolution to the ongoing salary crisis. The PUK statement reiterated that teachers’ financial rights should not be subject to political disputes between the regional and federal governments.
Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani also addressed the issue, urging teachers and employees to prioritize their health and end the hunger strike. “I am closely monitoring the situation of the striking teachers and employees. Their concerns and demands have been conveyed to the relevant authorities,” Barzani said in a statement. He acknowledged the legitimacy of their demands and expressed hope for a lasting resolution.
Despite these political interventions, the striking teachers remain defiant, insisting they will continue their protests until concrete action is taken. Demonstrations have grown larger, with hundreds more joining daily. Protesters chant slogans against government inefficiency, determined to pressure the authorities into fulfilling their financial commitments.
As the crisis unfolds, the future of Kurdistan’s education system remains uncertain. With schools shuttered and tensions escalating, the KRG faces mounting pressure to provide a lasting solution to the salary dispute. Until then, Sulaymaniyah’s teachers and public employees remain resolute in their struggle for financial justice.
