Baneh and Piranshahr shop owners were on strike for the fourth consecutive day in protest to the closure of border crossings and the high rate of unemployment.

Kurdistan Human Rights Network (KHRN) has been informed that closure of the unofficial borders of Iran’s Kurdistan with the Iraqi Kurdistan for three days has resulted in a lot of discontent among the businessmen and shop owners of Baneh and Piranshahr since the Kolbars can no longer carry goods through the aforementioned borders to the markets of these cities. On Saturday, February 24, the businessmen and shop owners in Baneh and Piranshahr cities closed their shops in protest to the closure of border crossings.

“Officials of Baneh had published a message in cyberspace and promised to reopen the opening of the Siranband-Baneh border on Monday, February 27, in order to prevent the strike. But the reopening of the border was postponed since the inauguration was accompanied by protesters who carried Placards and banners including mottoes last night.”, an informed source said.

In this regard, some of the kolbars and businessmen have announced the launch of their campaign while publishing some of their demands:

– Unconditional reopening of the borders

– Immediate release of the imprisoned businessmen

– Provision of food, clothing, treatment, housing and schooling for the unemployed by the government until they are employed.

– Payment of compensation to the families of hundreds of Kolbars and Tradesmen who were killed or incurred heavy physical and financial losses.

– Provision of unemployment benefits for all workers and businessmen over 16 years of age

– Provision of retirement benefits to people over 66 years of age

– Payment of cost of utilities and rent for unemployed people who cannot work due to illness or lack of employment.

” We have been threatened not to work on the borderline! because apparently our what we do is called smuggling and it is illegal. We appreciate the logic but how can we survive without work and income ?!”, the kolbars and businessmen concluded in their statement.

It should be noted that, following the request of the Central Government of Iraq, the Iranian authorities closed all Iran to Kurdistan of Iraq border crossings. This closure has resulted in the unemployment of tens of thousands of Kolbars and border businessmen.