Erbil Government Employees Transition to Digital Payments: November Salaries Disbursed via My Account
Peregraf
The Kurdistan Region Government (KRG) has officially announced that all government employees in Erbil are now enrolled in the "My Account" program, also referred to as "Hazhmary Mn," and will receive their salaries through this digital platform this month. KRG officials disclosed this advancement on Saturday, marking a pivotal moment in the region's initiative to digitize salary disbursements.
Aziz Ahmed, deputy chief of staff to the prime minister, emphasized this achievement in a post on X, stating, "Nearly all of KRG’s civil servants in Erbil—approximately 176,000 individuals—will receive their salaries directly into their new bank accounts this month," describing it as a significant milestone for the government.
The distribution of November salaries commenced today, with 219,000 civil servants throughout the Kurdistan Region set to receive their payments via the Hazhmary Mn program. This figure represents an increase of 28,000 employees compared to the numbers reported in December. However, there remains uncertainty regarding the status of December salaries for KRG employees.
The Hazhmary Mn initiative, established by the KRG, aims to digitize salary payments for over one million employees and pensioners, thereby enhancing government oversight of public sector personnel across the Kurdistan Region.
The "My Account" project, led by KRG Prime Minister Masrour Barzani, signifies a groundbreaking effort to modernize the region's financial infrastructure. Since its inception, 720,000 individuals have registered for the program, 350,000 cards have been issued, and over 550 ATMs have been installed at 200 locations. Plans are in place to further expand the number of ATMs to improve accessibility.
This digital transformation aims to streamline payment processes, enhance transparency, and strengthen financial management within the public sector, establishing a new benchmark for salary distribution in the Kurdistan Region.
The KRG's "My Account" (Hazhmari Mn) initiative and Iraq's Tawteen program are both aimed at digitizing salary payments for public sector employees, but they have been a source of contention.
The KRG's My Account initiative requires employees to register biometrically and have their salaries paid electronically through private and non-governmental banks. This initiative is part of the KRG's broader digital transformation strategy.
On the other hand, Iraq's Tawteen program focuses on facilitating the opening of bank accounts for public sector employees and pensioners within the country's banking system. The program aims to ensure that salaries are paid directly into employees' bank accounts, promoting transparency and reducing the reliance on cash transactions.
The Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) has filed a legal complaint against the KRG, alleging that the KRG is obstructing the implementation of the Tawteen program while enforcing its own My Account initiative. The PUK argues that employees should have the freedom to choose their own banks and that the KRG's approach contradicts a ruling by the Federal Court.