“Basra center for citizens affairs and centers of its districts and sub districts received recruitment applications for job vacancies announced by the Iraqi government,” Zahra Hamza, a member of Basra’s provincial council, told Rudaw on Thursday.
Some applications were later found in the trash outside the center, angering applicants. Hamza told Rudaw this was likely because of the high number of applicants, resulting in “chaos”.
Protests continue in the oil-rich province where residents are demanding the decentralization of government, 24-hour electricity, and the “provision of water desalination projects on Shatt al-Arab”.
Abadi sent a delegation to Muthana province on Thursday to meet with people and listen to their grievances. The delegation met with tribesmen to hear the demands of “peaceful” protesters, according to state-owned Iraqi News Agency (INA).
Faal al-Maliki who led the delegation told INA: “The demands which were presented during the meeting were legitimate and deserve attention and research.”
It is the constitutional right of the people to protest, he said, but urged them to coordinate with local authorities so they can be provided with security.
The protests, which began in early July, have spread to eight Iraqi provinces.
Iraqi Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadi said on Tuesday the Iraqi government is following up on the protesters' demands, but warned the task of security forces is to maintain their safety and prevent any attack on property throughout the country.
Some of the protests have turned violent with security advisors putting the casualty figures near 500 (civilians and security personnel).
Abadi visited Basra last week, but the protesters would not meet with him.
A group of activists and tribal leaders in Basra presented a list of demands on Monday.
The demands included concrete resolutions to resolve water and electricity service problems, job creation, investment in the province, combatting corruption, and increased transparency, especially with respect to the oil sector.
Oil-rich Basra province is home to the country’s only seaport provides the bulk of Iraq’s revenues, but has seen little local benefit. Unemployment and poverty levels are high.
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