Demonstrations demanding jobs make a comeback

Yesterday’s clashes between healthcare graduates and security forces marked the first real test for the Sudani government in dealing with the perennial issue of public sector hiring.

On Tuesday, more than 25 people were injured when riot police used water cannons and batons to disperse a large-scale demonstration organized by three health syndicates near the Green Zone. Thousands of health and medical graduates demanded that the government provide jobs for qualified professionals.

The protesters were met with force as security forces attempted to disperse them near Al-Shawaf Park. Images of bloodied faces circulated on social media, leading to widespread outrage and prompting PM Sudani to intervene. He ordered an investigation into the clashes, directed the Baghdad Operations Commander to oversee future protests, and ordered ministers to explore solutions for employing the graduates.

The protests are part of a broader, persistent issue in Iraq: the struggle to secure employment for thousands of young, educated citizens, particularly in the healthcare sector. Protesters argue that Law No. 6 of 2000 provides a legal framework that guarantees employment for healthcare graduates. However, the government’s ability to hire is constrained by budget limitations, and the growing number of graduates has outpaced the system’s capacity to create new roles.

According to the Ministry of Health, in 2022 alone, more than 39,000 healthcare graduates entered the job market, including 2,767 doctors, 4,860 dentists, and 5,756 pharmacists. Additionally, over 30,000 graduates emerged from technical and nursing colleges and institutes.