Mass Demonstration of Education Personnel in Iraq Against the Ministry of Finance’s Legal Appeal
On Wednesday, 19 November 2025, governorates across Iraq witnessed large-scale demonstrations organized by the General Union of Education Workers, affiliated with the General Federation of Iraqi Trade Unions, in coordination with the Iraqi Teachers’ Union. The protests were held in response to the Ministry of Finance’s appeal against the first amendment to the Ministry of Education Law No. 22 of 2011, which directly affects the rights and allowances of education personnel.
The demonstrations began at 10:00 a.m. in front of union headquarters in the governorates, after which delegations proceeded to the governorates’ offices. Meanwhile, hundreds gathered in front of the Ministry of Finance in Baghdad, expressing clear rejection of the appeal and demanding the disbursement of teachers’ financial and administrative entitlements, the release of raises and promotions, the regularization of contract workers, and the inclusion of the legal amendment in the 2026 state budget.
The union emphasized that these actions aim to defend the rights of more than one million teachers and education employees, warning that any rollback of legal gains will be met with further escalatory measures.
The union also announced a sit-in inside school buildings on Thursday, 20 November 2025, in addition to a major central demonstration on Sunday, 23 November, in front of the Ministry of Finance, with delegations from all governorates—unless the authorities fully and permanently withdraw the appealed decision.
For its part, the Arab Trade Union Confederation is closely monitoring these developments and reaffirms its full support for the legitimate demands of education workers in Iraq. It also stresses the need to safeguard acquired rights and uphold international standards related to decent work and social protection.
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