Layoffs Spark Fasting Protests

Kurdish News Human Rights Watch :

Article 858
December 27, 2006
Sanandaj- Over one hundred former employees of Nasaji in Kurdistan went to the unemployment office and began a public fast after their insurance was cancelled. Most of the employees have ten to twenty years experience. They did receive some assistance from unemployment, which has ceased. The employees and their families are finding life increasingly difficult without wages, which is why they are protesting. No response has been given to them by unemployment or any government office. Last month seven hundred employees from different companies such as Nasaji, Shaho, Prees, hospitals, and road repairers in Kurdistan were laid off and then began a fast in front of the governors office, but they were forcibly dispersed.
Translated by Samrand Moradi