Latest news with #EducationalServiceLaw
Shafaq News
07-04-2025
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Iraq strike wave: Teachers, now antiquities
Shafaq News/ Public sector unrest intensified in Iraq on Sunday as employees from the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities threatened to stage large-scale demonstrations in Baghdad this week, demanding salary increases in line with ongoing protests by education workers. A source told Shafaq News that employees are preparing for a potential strike across antiquities directorates in several provinces unless their wage demands are met. The move comes as the country's teachers continue a widespread strike over employment conditions. The Coordinating Committee for Teachers' and Educators' Strikes launched a general walkout on Sunday, pressing for legislative and financial reforms, including inclusion under the Educational Service Law—similar to the benefits granted to university staff—as well as allowances for transportation, professional duties, and family support. While the Teachers' Syndicate in Basra announced an end to the strike and the resumption of classes on Monday, some educators in the province have rejected the decision. Speaking to Shafaq News, educator representative Safaa Al-Maliki insisted the strike would continue until all demands are addressed, accusing the syndicate of siding with government attempts to undermine the movement. Basra teachers called for land allocations and broader improvements in their living conditions, warning that the strike would extend beyond Tuesday's scheduled cabinet session unless concrete steps were taken.
Shafaq News
06-04-2025
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Teachers' strike in Iraq: Delegation submits demands to Parliament
Shafaq News/ On Sunday, a delegation of educational officials from Baghdad and other provinces submitted a list of demands to the Iraqi Parliament, amid widespread protests calling for better conditions for employees and teaching staff. The delegation from the Educational Supervisors Association, along with members of teaching bodies, met with the Parliamentary Education Committee and presented a list of requests, including a package of financial and administrative privileges that align with the scope of the tasks performed by the educational staff, a parliamentary source told Shafaq News. "The committee members promised to discuss the demands in Parliament during the upcoming sessions," the source added. Large demonstrations took place in the Iraqi capital and several provinces on Sunday by employees and teaching staff, demanding the approval of the salary scale and protesting salary disparities between departments. At the same time, Malek Hadi, the head of the Teachers' and Educators' Strike Coordinating Committee, was arrested in Baghdad along with four committee members from other provinces. The strike aims to achieve the legitimate demands of teachers and educators, chief among them being their inclusion in the Educational Service Law, similar to the University Service Law adopted by the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, which includes allowances of up to 100%, according to committee member Ali Rahim.
Shafaq News
05-04-2025
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Iraq cabinet to review teachers' demands on April 8
Shafaq News/ Iraq's cabinet will review the demands of the Iraqi Teachers' Union during its upcoming session on Tuesday, with its chairman expected to attend, the union announced on Saturday. In a statement, the Union said that the chairman, Uday Hatim Al-Issawi, met with Education Minister Ibrahim Al-Jubouri and Cabinet Secretary General Hamid Al-Ghazi to present a list of demands concerning teachers' financial and professional entitlements. The Coordinating Committee for the Teachers' Strike in Iraq confirmed earlier this week that the nationwide strike is set to begin next Sunday and is non-negotiable. The planned strike centers on several key demands, including inclusion in the Educational Service Law and equal allowances to those granted to university staff under the Ministry of Higher Education. Teachers are also calling for cost-of-living allowances, as well as increases in transportation, spousal, and children's allowances.
Shafaq News
03-04-2025
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Iraq's Teachers declare nationwide strike on Sunday
Shafaq News/ Teachers declared a nationwide strike, demanding better pay and benefits, with the Coordinating Committee calling the action a necessary step to secure their rights. Ali Rahim, a committee member, emphasized that the Sunday's strike is aimed at securing rights for teachers, including the inclusion of educators in the Educational Service Law and granting them allowances equivalent to those offered to university staff under the Ministry of Higher Education. 'Key demands involve the inclusion of teachers in the cost-of-living allowance, along with increases in transportation, spousal, and children's allowances,' Rahim explained. For his part, Secretary-General of the Iraqi Teachers' Union Nafi' Al-Zalzali stated that the syndicate has yet to decide its position on the strike but will hold a meeting on Sunday to make its decision based on discussions. The member of the Parliamentary Education Committee Zuleikha Elias Qadu, expressed support for the teachers' demands but warned that the strike's timing, close to final exams, could harm students. The strike follows ongoing disputes over compensation and inclusion in the Educational Service Law. The Teachers' Union announced on Facebook on March 28 that, during a meeting with Prime Minister Mohammed Al-Sudani, it presented two key demands: an increase in professional allowances and additional compensation based on geographic location.
