Peregraf
A high-level delegation from the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), led by Finance Minister Awat Sheikh Janab, is set to meet Iraqi Finance Minister Taif Sami in Baghdad tomorrow. The primary goal of the meeting is to address the ongoing salary crisis in the Kurdistan Region and ensure the release of funds for the remaining months of the year.
According to information obtained by Peregraf, the delegation aims to secure payments for the salaries of October, November, and December, as well as to discuss budget amendments.
The delay in October salary payments has caused widespread frustration among public employees, particularly in Sulaymaniyah, Halabja, Garmian, and Raparin, where many teachers and other public sector workers have resorted to boycotts.
Teachers have also called for the resumption of promotions and the implementation of Iraq’s “Tawteen” salary domicilization program, as mandated by the Iraqi Federal Court’s decision.
After nearly two months of waiting for October salaries, the KRG Ministry of Finance stated, “We are waiting for the Iraqi Ministry of Finance to pay the October salary.”
On December 12, 2024, KRG Finance Ministry officials held a press conference detailing their negotiations with Baghdad. They claimed that most technical issues related to salary distribution had been resolved, adding, “There is nothing left in the hands of Baghdad to use as an excuse for delaying salaries.”
The ministry reported ongoing efforts to secure funding for October salaries, noting that the November payroll has been audited and is ready for payment, while December’s payroll has been submitted to the Iraqi Ministry of Finance.
A spokesman for the KRG Finance Ministry revealed, “We have requested the transfer of 430 billion dinars from the Kurdistan Region’s project allocation to boost the salary budget. On December 9, 2024, Baghdad decided to approve this payment.”
However, despite these efforts, the timeline for the distribution of October salaries remains uncertain, and the fate of November and December payments is also unclear.
This salary crisis continues to strain the lives of thousands of public employees in the Kurdistan Region, underscoring the urgency of finding a resolution during tomorrow’s critical negotiations.