[Kurdistan] Council of Ministers calls for protection of public salaries

The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Council of Ministers has reaffirmed a commitment to ensuring that public employee salaries are paid without interruption over the next eight months, Kurdistan24 reports.

The KRG strongly rejected what it described as unconstitutional financial pressure from the Iraqi government.

Prime Minister Masrour Barzani reportedly stated that the KRG has met all its obligations under the budget agreement with Baghdad. Adding that withholding salaries amounts to a political decision which imposes unjust sanctions and collective punishment on the people of the Kurdistan Region.

“The Iraqi Constitution guarantees equality for all citizens, and the Federal Supreme Court has ruled that salary earners in the Kurdistan Region must be treated equally with their counterparts in federal institutions,” the Prime Minister said.

In light of the court’s ruling, the Cabinet called on the Federal Council of Ministers to reconsider the Federal Ministry of Finance’s recent decision. It reportedly resolved to send an official letter to the international community and foreign representatives outlining the constitutional, legal, and financial aspects of the salary issue, while urging support for a fair resolution.

Additionally, the KRG discussed the status of contract employees across various government institutions. Acknowledging the legitimacy of their demands, the Cabinet instructed the Ministry of Finance and Economy to start to consolidate data on all contract workers, including those on development budgets, daily wages, and income-based contracts, in preparation for improved regulation and support.

The Council of Ministers reportedly stated that it is committed to protecting the rights of civil servants, upholding constitutional principles, and securing fair treatment for all citizens of the Kurdistan Region.

Source: Kurdistan24

(Quote via original reporting)

The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Council of Ministers has reaffirmed a commitment to ensuring that public employee salaries are paid without interruption over the next eight months, Kurdistan24 reports.

The KRG strongly rejected what it described as unconstitutional financial pressure from the Iraqi government.

Prime Minister Masrour Barzani reportedly stated that the KRG has met all its obligations under the budget agreement with Baghdad. Adding that withholding salaries amounts to a political decision which imposes unjust sanctions and collective punishment on the people of the Kurdistan Region.

“The Iraqi Constitution guarantees equality for all citizens, and the Federal Supreme Court has ruled that salary earners in the Kurdistan Region must be treated equally with their counterparts in federal institutions,” the Prime Minister said.

In light of the court’s ruling, the Cabinet called on the Federal Council of Ministers to reconsider the Federal Ministry of Finance’s recent decision. It reportedly resolved to send an official letter to the international community and foreign representatives outlining the constitutional, legal, and financial aspects of the salary issue, while urging support for a fair resolution.

Additionally, the KRG discussed the status of contract employees across various government institutions. Acknowledging the legitimacy of their demands, the Cabinet instructed the Ministry of Finance and Economy to start to consolidate data on all contract workers, including those on development budgets, daily wages, and income-based contracts, in preparation for improved regulation and support.

The Council of Ministers reportedly stated that it is committed to protecting the rights of civil servants, upholding constitutional principles, and securing fair treatment for all citizens of the Kurdistan Region.

Source: Kurdistan24

(Quote via original reporting)