SULAIMANI (ESTA) — Non-contract teachers continued to protest in Erbil on Tuesday, calling for employment and full contract.
Dozens of non-contract teachers gathered out the Kurdistan Parliament in Erbil, as the legislature is scheduled to hold a session to discuss their issue.
The teachers who have gone on strikes for 16 days demand the government give them full contract and benefits that their colleagues receive, Esta Media Network reporter in Erbil said.
A number of lawmakers joined the protesters outside the parliament, expressing support for their demands.
Lawmakers in the parliament’s committee of education said the committee had prepared a report that will be read during the parliament’s session on Tuesday.
The non-contract teachers are paid based on the number of lessons they are given per day. The minimum amount per lesson given to teachers holding a bachelor degree is 4,000 Iraqi dinars ($2.7).
“boycott continues,” a representative for the non-contract teachers said in a press conference, reading a statement from the teachers.
“The teachers call for permanent employment,” he added. “We have boycotted classes for 16 days, but this is not our desire.”
The representative called on the government to replace the tired teachers with the non-contract teachers.
He said more than 15,000 teachers had been retired in the past nine years.
There are more than 20,000 non-contract teachers across the Kurdistan Region.
