Unhappy teachers threaten to take revenge at the ballot box
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region – A group of teachers upset about the ongoing failure of governments to pay their salaries have demanded political parties take a clear stance on the issue, warning the politicians that this is an election year. They also announced a plan to visit Baghdad soon.
“We call on the political parties to show a clear and explicit stance concerning the demands of the teachers and the demands of all employees and classes,” read a statement issued by the Dissatisfied Teachers Council.
The council issued the statement in response to the “continuation of the crisis and the bad economic circumstances of teachers,” Saman Rauf, member of the Dissatisfied Teachers Council, told journalists after a meeting that brought together representatives from all areas.
The teachers have threatened to punish political parties who oppose their demands, saying upcoming elections will be an opportunity to let politicians know how they feel.
The council also expressed support for the teachers who have gone on strike and called on the families of students to support them because both “teachers and students are victims of an oppressive authority.”
Rauf said they plan to take their message to the Iraqi capital.
“In the near future, a joint committee composed of teachers from all the different areas will go to Baghdad,” he said.
Baghdad is currently conducting an audit of the KRG’s Ministry of Education payroll before sending funds to cover the salaries.
Teachers in Sulaimani resumed their protests earlier this month.
“We call on the political parties to show a clear and explicit stance concerning the demands of the teachers and the demands of all employees and classes,” read a statement issued by the Dissatisfied Teachers Council.
The council issued the statement in response to the “continuation of the crisis and the bad economic circumstances of teachers,” Saman Rauf, member of the Dissatisfied Teachers Council, told journalists after a meeting that brought together representatives from all areas.
The teachers have threatened to punish political parties who oppose their demands, saying upcoming elections will be an opportunity to let politicians know how they feel.
The council also expressed support for the teachers who have gone on strike and called on the families of students to support them because both “teachers and students are victims of an oppressive authority.”
Rauf said they plan to take their message to the Iraqi capital.
“In the near future, a joint committee composed of teachers from all the different areas will go to Baghdad,” he said.
Baghdad is currently conducting an audit of the KRG’s Ministry of Education payroll before sending funds to cover the salaries.
Teachers in Sulaimani resumed their protests earlier this month.