Kurdistan Observer

Arab Workers Complain about Maltreatment in Kurdistan

Al-Hayat Sep 11, 2005

Sulaimani– Kurdistani cities are full of Arab workers coming from the center and south of Iraq to find an employment opportunity, within the prosperous construction works, day after day, in the Kurdish region which is stable security wise. On the other hand, these workers complain about maltreatment.

Kurdish officials and citizens deny that and they confirm that they are treating them as 'guests'. Ammar, an agricultural engineer who came from Al Kut to Sulaimani, said that many Kurds treat the Arab workers 'with hatred and humiliation. Therefore, they either avoid employing them or only pay them half the payment of any local workers.' Nevertheless, Kuna Najm Eddin, who made use of the presence of Arab workers in overhauling her house, said that the Arabs 'are very sensitive'. She can not speak in Kurdish to he husband in front of Arab workers as they feel angry when they hear them talk in an un-understandable language. She said that she pays the Arab worker an additional sum over what is agreed upon and that she and her husband treat them as guests, in addition to cooking the most delicious meals for them. Ammar admits that he received the best treatment on behalf of some families, but this type of families is rare, according to him.

It is worth mentioning that the authorities also participate in the bas treatment. The police sometimes chase them. Nevertheless, Sarkout Hassan, Sulaimani police chief, confirmed that the issue is not related to the fact that the worker is Arab or Kurdish, but to his behavior. For instance, he stated that when some persons sleep on the pavements and on the roads, this arouses the worries of the security elements under such a sensitive condition. The police do not differentiate if they were Arabs or Kurds. Ammar expressed some understanding with regard to the worries of the Kurdish police with regard to the Arab elements, due to what is happening in the center and south.

It is worth mentioning that many Arab workers have benefited from the recent procedures taken on behalf of the administrations of Kurdish cities. They have supplied with big halls for accommodating them, out of assistance, according to a security official.