Peregraf
As public sector employees await their October salaries, with no clarity on November and December payments, Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Interior Minister Rebar Ahmad has accused Baghdad of shifting its stance on budget allocations and presenting false claims about salary delays. Ahmad stressed that both the KRG and its citizens are weary of what he described as unjustifiable actions by the federal government.
During a press conference, Ahmad stated, “There are no valid administrative or financial justifications for the delay in salaries, as all issues have been addressed. Salaries must be distributed monthly, and the current method of disbursement is unprecedented.”
He further criticized Baghdad, asserting, “The people and we are tired of these actions. Salaries should be paid on time without delay. The excuses offered by Baghdad are misleading, as the problems they reference have already been resolved.”
Baghdad’s Position
Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ Al Sudani placed the blame on the KRG, accusing it of failing to meet revenue-sharing obligations. Speaking during a parliamentary session, Al Sudani clarified that only 763 billion Iraqi dinars remain allocated to the Kurdistan Region for the year. He rejected the KRG’s request to redirect funds from the investment budget to address the salary shortfall.
“The issue is not political,” Al Sudani remarked, “but arises from the KRG’s repeated non-compliance with budgetary obligations over previous years.” He added that Baghdad has fulfilled its legal obligations by disbursing 761 billion dinars for October salaries, despite ongoing disputes.
The Kurdistan Region requires over 900 billion dinars monthly for its payroll, but Baghdad argues that the KRG has already received its full share of the federal budget, amounting to 12.67%.
Growing Unrest Amid Salary Delays
The delays have triggered widespread protests in the Kurdistan Region, where more than 1.25 million public sector employees and pensioners remain unpaid for October. The uncertainty, coupled with the fact that September salaries were distributed nearly 50 days ago, has intensified public frustration.
In Sulaymaniyah, teachers have launched school boycotts, causing significant disruptions to the education system.
While a Federal Supreme Court ruling obliges Baghdad to cover KRG salaries under specific conditions, ongoing disputes over revenue-sharing and inefficiencies in the KRG’s payroll system continue to leave public employees in limbo.
The crisis highlights the deepening tensions between Baghdad and Erbil, as both sides blame each other for the financial gridlock, exacerbating public discontent.