The Kurdistan Union of People with Disabilities has approached the Iraqi Parliament office in Sulaymaniyah to advocate for equal benefits with their counterparts in other parts of the country, photo, 964media
'Our problems and challenges are many'
Kurdistan disability union urges Iraqi Parliament to equalize benefits with federal regions
SULAYMANIYAH — The Kurdistan Union of People with Disabilities has approached the Iraqi Parliament office in Sulaymaniyah, advocating for equal benefits with their counterparts across the rest of Iraq.
Currently, people with disabilities in Sulaymaniyah and other governorates of the Kurdistan Region who are unable to work receive 150,000 Iraqi dinars per month. Those with additional income sources receive 100,000 dinars. The union is demanding an increase to 250,000 dinars per month, which has been the standard benefit provided in Iraqi governorates under federal administration.
Saman Hussein, head of the Kurdistan Union of People with Disabilities, told 964media that on Monday, the union visited the office of the Iraqi Parliament and met with several members to present their demands.
Hussein said their primary request is for the benefits of people with disabilities in Kurdistan to align with those provided to people with disabilities in the rest of Iraq, describing it as a fundamental right.
“Representatives from all parliamentary factions have expressed their willingness to convey our demand to the Iraqi Minister of Labor and the Minister of Finance so they can address this issue together,” Hussein said.
There are an estimated 75,000 registered individuals with disabilities in the Kurdistan Region.
The issue of unequal benefits has led to several protests. In early May, people with disabilities in Sulaymaniyah rallied at Sara Square, calling for an increase in their monthly government benefits.
Protesters said their current stipends are insufficient to cover basic needs. “Our problems and challenges are many,” said Shukria Ahmed, a protester with a disabled daughter. “We want our benefits to be the same as Baghdad. Are we worth less than them?”
On April 23, the Kurdistan Regional Government’s Minister of Social Affairs, Kwestan Mohammad Abdulla Maarouf, chaired a meeting focused on the status of individuals with disabilities.
Hawraz Abdulqader, director of the Social Protection Network within the ministry, told 964media at the time that officials had not received any official request concerning the alignment of benefits with the rest of Iraq. Abdulqader said the ministry would “review their concerns and issues.”
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