Iraq News Now

Shafaq News/On Monday, the head of the Handicap Union of Kurdistan, Saman Hussein, drewattention to the "deplorable" living conditions faced by people withdisabilities in the Kurdistan Region, calling on the government to releasetheir overdue salaries.

In a pressconference, Hussein stated, "More than 67,000 individuals withdisabilities have not received their salaries for 65 days, amounting toapproximately 11 billion Iraqi dinars (8,377,403 USD)."

Husseinpointed out that "the weekly revenues of Al-Sulaimaniyah Governorate alonesurpass the total salaries of people with disabilities for two months, raisingquestions about the delay in disbursing these essential payments, especiallywhen compared to the salaries of state officials, which exceed 8 milliondinars, while the salary of a disabled person does not exceed 150,000 dinars(100 USD) per month."

Husseinurged the affluent and business community to "provide support andassistance to people with disabilities during these challenging times,"emphasizing the need to "stand by this marginalized and neglectedgroup."

Last July,Hussein announced that he would run in the Kurdistan Regional Parliament electionsas an independent candidate in Al-Sulaymaniyah Governorate.

Hussein toldShafaq News Agency, "I will be the first representative of people withdisabilities in the legislative councils of the Kurdistan Region and Iraq ingeneral."

"Peoplewith disabilities endure terrible conditions due to a lack of representation inhigher legislative institutions. That's why I decided to run to be theirrepresentative this time," he added.

Individualswith disabilities often stage protests and sit-ins in the Kurdistan Region,demanding better financial support and living conditions from the government.They allege discrimination in employment opportunities and argue that thesocial security benefits they receive are inadequate, particularly in light oftheir significant medical expenses.

The Regionis home to more than 120,000 people with special needs.