DUBAI, UAE - Iraqi parliament announced Wednesday it will hold an emergency session Thursday to address the growing demands of striking teachers and academia staff across the country.

The strike began Sunday, April 6, following the end of the Eid al-Fitr holiday, with teachers and academia staff in all Iraqi provinces going on a strike.

Among the educators’ demands are increased geographic location allowances, regular payment of transportation fees for educational supervisors, and the creation of a specific budget line in the general directorates’ financial plans to guarantee consistent disbursement of those funds. They are also requesting 150,000 Iraqi dinars in petty cash per academic term to support school administrative operations.

Teachers are also urging the government to permanently employ contract teachers hired in 2020, pay outstanding 2024 contract wages, and grant double service credit for educators working in remote or underserved areas.

Additional demands include access to low-interest loans, no higher than 2% from state banks, and the recognition of advanced degrees earned by staff who did not receive prior study approval from their directorates.

Demonstrations have erupted in multiple provinces, and protestors have faced a heavy-handed response from security forces. 

On Tuesday, riot police reportedly used force against educators protesting in front of the Dhi Qar Directorate of Education.

According to a source from the province’s health directorate, who spoke on the condition of anonymity with The New Region, at least 42 people were injured in the confrontation, including 27 protesters and 15 security personnel.

Protesters accused authorities of using excessive force and called on the government to fulfill promises related to salaries, housing, and professional protections.

Demonstrations also took place in Basra, Diyala, and other regions, with teachers calling for the activation of the Teacher Protection Law, permanent employment for contract teachers, and increases in family-related financial support. 

In Basra, demonstrators demanded action on 19,000 unapproved education employment opportunities.

Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani met with the Iraqi Teachers’ Syndicate leader on Tuesday and announced a series of measures, including land distribution for teachers and enforcement of the Teacher Protection Law. 

Meanwhile, the Dhi Qar Education Directorate condemned the violence against educators and urged both restraint and protection of the protests’ peaceful nature.