Teachers’ Protest in Sulaymaniyah Enters Fifth Day, Hunger Strikers’ Health Deteriorates

Peregraf 

A group of protesting teachers and employees in Sulaymaniyah have been staging a sit-in for five consecutive days in front of the UN office, demanding the release of their delayed salaries. Twelve of the protesters have declared a hunger strike, vowing to continue until their demands are met.

At a press conference held under the protest tents, a representative of the striking teachers called on the public to turn tomorrow into a day of mass protest in support of their cause. “The health condition of the hunger strikers is deteriorating day by day,” he warned, urging urgent action.

Medical teams are closely monitoring the strikers’ conditions, conducting regular health checkups. However, the hunger strikers, who consume only water, tea, and coffee, are showing increasing signs of weakness.

The protesters’ key demands include timely salary payments, nationalization of salaries to prevent political interference, and an end to the ongoing financial crisis affecting public sector employees. They argue that their dignity is tied to financial stability and the right to a decent livelihood.

The protest was sparked by the continued delay of teachers’ December 2024 salaries, leading to a widespread school boycott across Sulaymaniyah. With tensions rising, the movement is gaining momentum as more public sector workers express solidarity with the demonstrators.

So far, there has been no official response from the government regarding the teachers’ demands. Protesters insist they will not back down until concrete steps are taken to resolve the crisis.