Erbil shopkeepers unhappy with compensation offer

ERBIL – Shopkeepers at Erbil’s Langa market voiced their dissatisfaction with the Erbil Governorate’s compensation offer following a devastating fire on Feb. 29, claiming the offer falls short of covering their significant losses.

The Governor of Erbil ratified a municipal council resolution today, exempting all shops affected by the February fire from one year of rent and six months of fees for garbage and debris removal. However, shopkeepers believe these measures are insufficient.

A shopkeeper told a 964media correspondent, “For the shop owners, this might appear to be a good decision, but for us, the vendors, it feels like mockery. I’m only receiving 60,000 dinars in compensation. I’ve lost goods worth $50,000, but according to this decision, I’m only reimbursed 60,000 dinars ($40).”

Another shopkeeper sarcastically remarked, “Congratulations, you won 60,000 dinars!” He added, “This decision is viewed as an insult among us. What use is 60,000 dinars to me? Just one wooden shelf costs 30,000 dinars. My shop needs 19 shelves.”

One shopkeeper expressed a loss of hope, saying, “We have no optimism about being compensated. After our gathering yesterday, we had some hope, but today, these decisions have dashed even that.”

Another, who reported damages worth $25,000, criticized the government’s approach, “It’s a mockery and scant consolation. The government is pleased to waive a year’s rent for shop owners. What about us tenants?”

Adding to the grievances, a shopkeeper said, “This trivial compensation from the government is insufficient. I spend 500,000 dinars monthly on my sick child alone. We do not want their 60,000 dinars, nor do we owe them gratitude for it.”

Yesterday, many from Erbil’s Langa second-hand market protested on 100 Meter Street, demanding compensation for the fire that nearly a month ago destroyed 166 shops and damaged hundreds more.

Despite the government’s offer, shopkeepers are adamant about beefier compensation, highlighting a “sense of disparity,” as one shopkeeper noted to 964media, “Compensation was provided to those affected by floods in Duhok, but our pleas remain unheard.”

Over 100 homeowners were given keys to brand new apartments in Duhok this week as compensation for damaged or destroyed homes.