Iraqi Parliamentary Finance Committee Imposes Monthly Salary Deductions on Kurdistan Region

The Parliamentary Finance Committee has voted in favor of amendments to the budget law, requiring the Kurdistan Region to pay a monthly deduction of 10% from its employees’ salaries. The amendments also address oil deliveries and have sparked objections from the Kurdistan regional government. The draft budget law, which has already faced scrutiny, will be presented to Parliament for ratification.

Amendment Calls for Monthly Deductions from Kurdistan Region

The Parliamentary Finance Committee recently made amendments to the budget law, impacting the Kurdistan Region in Iraq. Among the amendments is a provision that mandates a 10% monthly deduction from the salaries of employees in the region. This decision has stirred controversy and raised concerns within the Kurdistan regional government.

The amendments, currently under review within the committee, are part of the ongoing discussions surrounding the budget law. If approved, they will be presented to Parliament for further consideration and ratification. The aim of these changes is to address financial matters related to the Kurdistan Region, specifically concerning oil deliveries and exports.

Kurdistan Regional Government’s Rejection and Protests

The Kurdistan regional government has expressed its strong opposition to any alterations involving the region’s financial obligations in the draft of the Iraqi general budget law for the next three years. This rejection was made clear in a recent declaration by the government. The proposed amendments, including the monthly salary deductions, have been met with resistance from the regional perspective.

During the committee meeting where the amendments were discussed, the Kurdistan Democratic Party’s Members of Parliament (MPs) staged a withdrawal. Mustafa Sanad, a member of the Parliamentary Finance Committee, tweeted about the withdrawal, mentioning that it seemed to be a protest against the meeting’s resolutions. However, the exact reasons behind the withdrawal were not specified.

The silence of the Kurdistan Democratic Party’s MPs on the decision has left room for speculation. It is unclear whether they will voice their concerns or objections at a later stage or through alternative means. The withdrawal signifies the dissatisfaction and disagreement with the amendments, aligning with the regional perspective on the matter.

Parliament to Vote on Draft Budget Law

Mohammed al-Halbousi, the Speaker of the Iraqi Parliament, has announced that the draft budget law will undergo a vote in the Parliament on the upcoming Saturday. This vote will determine the fate of the amendments and whether they will be formally incorporated into the budget law. The decision carries significant weight, as it will shape the financial landscape of the country and the Kurdistan Region for the foreseeable future.

The approved draft budget law, initially proposed on March 13, is the largest financial budget in Iraq’s history, surpassing 197 trillion and 828 billion Iraqi dinars (approximately 152.2 billion dollars). The budget capitalizes on the global increase in oil prices, which account for the majority of the country’s financial revenue. However, the budget has faced opposition from financial and legal experts, who have raised concerns about certain items within it. Consequently, ongoing disputes have delayed the finalization of the budget law.

In conclusion, the Parliamentary Finance Committee’s decision to impose monthly salary deductions on the Kurdistan Region has added another layer of complexity to the ongoing discussions surrounding the budget law in Iraq.

The amendments, which also address oil deliveries, have elicited objections from the Kurdistan regional government. As the draft budget law heads to the Parliament for a vote, the fate of these amendments hangs in the balance, with potential ramifications for both the region and the country as a whole.