Despite the strict security threats and prosecution of anyone who demands their right to a decent life, dozens of unemployed youth from Howeyzeh district rose up in an angry protest, defying their attempts to intimidate, which reached the point of threatening arrest and liquidation. The people of the wealthy district of Howeyzeh came out to raise their voices against systemic unemployment, in a painful way: “We feel shame and helplessness in front of our children and families.”
The protesters expressed their deep displeasure with the policy of ignorance and procrastination pursued by officials, stressing that instead of responding to their legitimate demands for job opportunities, they faced campaigns of arrest and intimidation.
The youth of Howeyzeh district have been suffering from a chronic unemployment crisis for years, blaming oil companies operating in the district for exacerbating the crisis. These companies, which were established legally to contribute to the development of the judiciary and create job opportunities for its children, have not fulfilled their promises, as they rely mainly on recruiting workers from outside the judiciary, ignoring local competencies and labour, which deprived the youth of the Howeyzeh district of their right to work.
In a direct message to the governor of the region, Mr. Mawalizadeh, one of the protesters said:
“How long will the youth of Howeyzeh district remain unemployed? How long will their shame and brokenness last in front of their wives and children? “Howeyzeh district sleeps on a sea of oil wealth, but its youth live on poverty and unemployment.”
The protesters pointed to the stark contradiction in their living reality, stressing that the district of Hawiza includes seven giant oil fields, yet its children reap nothing but pollution and deprivation.”
Why is our share of these seven fields just watching and inhaling pollution? The district of Howeyzeh is a border and deprived district, with no other industries or opportunities for self-employment. “We are not asking for special privileges, but our right to work and live with dignity.”
At the end of the statement addressed to the governor, the youth called for urgent measures and decisive decisions that oblige companies to effectively use the local workforce, and to give priority in employment to the youth of Howeyzeh district.
The statement reads:
“We are not asking for favors from anyone; we want our right to work, our right to life, and a better future for our children.”
They added in a tone of despair mixed with determination:
“Please listen to the voice of the Howeyzeh district before it is too late, and take practical and concrete steps. We are tired of it. Give back to the youth their stolen rights, otherwise these protests will continue as long as we are deprived of work on our land.”
Howeyzeh is one of the region’s richest oil-rich districts, but at the same time one of the most deprived and marginalized, with high unemployment rates among young people and graduates, amid the constant silence of judicial and local government officials.
