'Take it for free'

Sharazoor public sector employees demand better land allocation, challenge private development deals

SULAYMANIYAH — Government employees in the Sharazoor district of Sulaymaniyah governorate have formed the “Pressure Council for the Return of Residential Land to Government Employees,” demanding direct access to designated residential land instead of allocations to private companies. They say the process lacks fairness and transparency.

The Kurdistan Regional Government’s Council of Ministers approved a decision on March 27, 2024, to allocate 200 square meters of residential land to each government employee who has not previously benefited from similar programs. The plan, published on May 28, 2024, bases allocations on years of service, family size and current residence.

In previous years, public sector employees have been allocated plots of land by the government. The new decision renewed the giveaway for those public sector workers who had not recieved one in previous rounds.

The Pressure Council has called on the Sharazoor mayor to resign, accusing the local administration of mismanagement and favoring private firms.

“Recently, approximately 170 donums [42 acres] of prime land near Sharazoor’s center were allocated to a private company for housing development,” said council member Saad Hama Saleh. “These lands are ideal due to their location and access to services.

“However, land allocated to government employees are in remote areas, lack infrastructure and have little value. Some farmers even said, ‘Take it for free; it is of no use to us.’”

Raza Aziz, who has worked in the Sharazoor Electricity Department for 21 years, echoed those concerns. “We were promised land, but the designated areas are unsuitable for living and lack basic services. The allocated land wouldn’t even be fit for livestock,” he said.

During a press conference, the council noted, “In Sharazoor, 4,000 employees are eligible to benefit from the decision to allocate residential land, yet many face injustice.” The group also criticized the Sharazoor mayor, alleging he prioritizes company profits over employee welfare.

“The mayor argues that companies require prime land for profitability, but employees should not be forced to accept unsuitable plots that lack value,” the statement added.

So far, about 450,000 people have applied for the program throughout the Kurdistan Region.