Iraqi PM promises funding for Kurdistan Region Salaries after ongoing delay
Shafaq News/Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani has promised to soon fund thesalaries of employees and workers in the Kurdistan Region, following a nearlytwo-month delay, according to Deputy Speaker of the Iraqi Parliament ShakhawanAbdullah.
In a pressconference held on Tuesday in Kirkuk, Abdullah revealed that he had multiplediscussions with the Prime Minister this week, during which Al-Sudani assuredthat the salaries of Kurdistan Region employees would be funded.
A delegationfrom the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) is currently in Baghdad to addressvarious issues related to salary payments. Abdullah pointed out that somedisputes have arisen with the Ministry of Finance regarding salaries, althoughhe emphasized that these disputes lack legal basis.
Abdullahunderscored the importance of timely salary payments. "the salaries arethe people's livelihood and should be disbursed on schedule, just as they arefor employees in other parts of Iraq."
He furthermentioned that Kurdish ministers and officials are scheduled to meet in Baghdadearly next week to discuss solutions for the ongoing salary payment issues inthe Kurdistan Region.
Last Sunday,the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) strongly criticized the federalgovernment for failing to fund public sector salaries for nearly twoconsecutive months, stating there is no justification for the delay.
During apress conference in Halabja, Peshwa Horami, the KRG spokesperson, stated thatthe delay is not due to the rumored addition of 30,000 new employees to thepayroll. Instead, he attributed the withholding of funds to political factorsaimed at "starving the people of Kurdistan."
"Thereis no reasonable justification for the federal government to cut the salariesof Kurdistan's public employees for over 50 days…it is unjust," Horamisaid, lamenting that the situation violates the Iraqi constitution, a ruling bythe Federal Supreme Court, fundamental human rights, traditions, and politicalagreements.
Horamiemphasized that the KRG has complied with all requests and observations fromthe federal government, particularly the Ministry of Finance.
