LÎNA EL-XETÎB

Idlib- The Syrian Salvation Government established by the Turkish state and Turkish-backed Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) commit rights violations against women in Idlib. The government does not pay the salaries and severance pay of female retired teachers.

‘I want to have a life with dignity’

Munira Al- Haluf, a retired teacher in the town of Sarmada, faces financial difficulties because she has not received her salary. “I worked as a teacher for years despite the war and bombardments. I have not received my salary and severance pay since I retired. I worked as a teacher for 35 years and now want to have a life with dignity. My husband cannot work because he is a cancer patient. Our children give us money every month. The amount that they give us is enough just to buy my husband’s medications and to cover household expenses.”

‘Teachers are not supported’

Teachers in Idlib and its rural areas receive a lower salary compared to other employees. “Teachers suffer from financial problems. Teachers are not supported by any political parties and this situation leads many teachers to resign. Teachers are forced to look for other jobs to cover rent and home energy costs such as electricity, water and healthcare costs,” Munira Al- Haluf told NuJINHA.

She was fired

Obaida Al-Tahan (65) was fired after working as a teacher at university for years. “I have become unemployed after working for years. I am not the only teacher who was fired after working for years. We have received no severance pay although we worked under difficult conditions for years. Now, I am an old woman suffering from diabetes and hypertension. Despite my diseases, I work in a sewing workshop in order not to be dependent on anyone.”

She lives in a camp

60-year-old Rawan Al-Abbas lives in the city of Ma'arrat Nu'man, south of Idlib. She is a retired Arabic teacher. “I have not received my salary for a long time. I live in a camp with my daughter because I could not pay our rent anymore. Now, I teach the children in the camp Arabic because these children are innocent and deprived of their rights.”

‘Retired teachers face financial difficulties’

Obaida Gulsum is a school principal in Idlib. Speaking about the difficulties faced by retired teachers, she said, “The Syrian Salvation Government established by Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham does not pay the salaries of retired teachers. Retired teachers are deprived of their rights; they try to survive with the help of people.”

Retired teachers have held many protests in front of the Directorate of Education in Idlib to demand their unpaid salaries.