Peregraf
Teachers and public sector employees in Sulaimaniyah, along with several other cities and towns, have escalated their protests against the ongoing salary crisis and the Kurdistan Regional Government's (KRG) disregard for the Iraqi government's salary domicilization initiative, referred to as "Tawteen," by taking their demonstrations to Erbil. These educators and public workers from various locations under the ruling zone of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) utilized buses to gather in front of the United Nations headquarters in Erbil.
Omid Khoshnaw, the governor of Erbil and a prominent member of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), stated during a press conference: “Erbil is known for its hospitality and welcomes its visitors. However, those who arrive under the banner of KRG employees and they are Arabs in reality, while the Arab authorities in Baghdad are responsible for budget cuts, will not find a welcoming environment in Erbil today.” He further absolved the KRG of responsibility for the salary crisis, attributing the issue to the actions of the Baghdad government.
In response to the possible arrival of possible protesting teachers and employees from Sulaimaniyah, Khoshnaw made it clear that the city "cannot stand to receive such unwanted guests today." He reinforced the KRG's stance on the salary crisis, shifting the blame to Baghdad for the financial issues.
The protests, now in their 13th day, continue despite harsh weather conditions, with some demonstrators even refusing medical treatment in defiance of the government’s inaction. Khoshnaw criticized the lack of legal authorization for the protests and hinted at potential measures to curb any further demonstrations.
The salary crisis has left teachers and public employees without pay for months, fueling widespread discontent across the Kurdistan Region. While the KRG deflects responsibility, public frustration remains high.
As the protests persist, the question remains whether the KRG will address the demands of public employees or if tensions will escalate further.