Iraqi teachers' union seeks doubling of professional allowances, contract staff hiring

BAGHDAD, Iraq — The Iraqi Teachers' Syndicate has formally asked Education Minister Abdul Karim Abtan al-Jubouri to double professional allowances, implement delayed raises and promotions, and absorb contract teachers into permanent positions. Syndicate head Adiy al-Aisawi said the request would be reviewed with ministry advisers under the new ministry program. Al-Aisawi said thousands of contract teachers working at education directorates in Baghdad and other cities had accumulated experience that the ministry should retain through permanent appointments. The union also called for the release of delayed raises and promotions owed to some educators and for professional allowances to be paid at double the standard rate to staff placed on permanent payrolls. The syndicate's central council held intensive meetings to prepare the demands and will review them independently of the federal budget process, according to al-Aisawi. He added that the union backs the long-running land allocation file for teachers and that obstacles to land grants will be addressed through legal and administrative channels. No immediate response from the Education Ministry was reported.