Bafel Jalal Talabani, President of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), visited teachers on hunger strike in Sulaimaniya, protesting over a decade of delayed and unpaid salaries. The PUK Political Bureau stated that Talabani cut short his trip to the U.S. to pressure both the regional and federal governments for a long-term solution. The striking teachers demand salary nationalization, urging the Iraqi government to directly handle payments to ensure consistency.
Talabani’s Visit and PUK’s Support for the Strikers
Bafel Talabani met with hunger-striking teachers who have been protesting outside the United Nations (UN) office in Sulaimaniya for over a week. The teachers are demanding a resolution to the Kurdistan Regional Government’s (KRG) inconsistent salary payments, which have left many civil servants unpaid for months over the years. The salaries of December 2023 remain unpaid.
The PUK Political Bureau reaffirmed its support for the striking teachers, stating that their demands are legitimate and part of a larger struggle for civil rights. The party emphasized that this is not just a regional issue but a national one, requiring cooperation between the Kurdistan Region and Baghdad. The statement condemned the ongoing situation, arguing that people should not live in constant fear about whether their salaries will arrive.
Strikers Demand Salary Nationalization
One of the key demands of the teachers is the implementation of the Tawtin (nationalization) system, an initiative by the Iraqi government that seeks to pay salaries directly through bank accounts. Many civil servants in the Kurdistan Region have supported this initiative, seeing it as a way to bypass the KRG’s financial struggles and delays in salary distribution.
The striking teachers insist that the federal government should handle salary payments directly, arguing that their financial stability should not be subject to political conflicts or regional economic difficulties. The demand for Tawtin has been gaining momentum among public sector employees, particularly in education and healthcare.
Frank Discussion Between Talabani and the Strikers
Osman Gulpi, spokesman for the hunger-striking teachers, stated that Bafel Talabani’s visit was mainly to check on their health condition. “His visit was normal, and we respect that he came to see us. We had an open discussion about the current situation,” he said.
During the meeting, the teachers openly criticized Talabani, expressing their frustration with the lack of action from political leaders. However, Gulpi noted that Talabani listened to their grievances and responded with respect. Despite his concerns for their well-being, he did not ask them to end the strike. “Bafel Talabani only said he is worried about our health, but there was no request to stop the strike,” Gulpi confirmed.
The hunger-striking teachers remain firm in their demands and continue to call for concrete steps from both the KRG and Baghdad to ensure salary stability for all civil servants in the Kurdistan Region.
