PM Masrour Barzani addresses Kurdistan parliament on reform
ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani is expected to address the Kurdistan Parliament early Monday to present a detailed report on a variety of topics, including the reform progress his government has undertaken.
“At the request of Prime Minister [Masrour Barzani],” the Kurdistan Parliament will hold a session to discuss the progress of reform law undertaken by his cabinet, the region’s economic situation, ongoing talks with the federal government of Iraq on the lingering issues, the state of disputed territories, and the COVID-19 pandemic, a statement from the parliament read.
Along with Prime Minister Barzani, his deputy and finance minister will be attending the session, scheduled to take place at 10 a.m., the statement noted.
The session comes as the region is grappling with several challenges including economic distress caused by low oil prices and the coronavirus pandemic. Additionally, the region has not yet finalized an agreement with the federal government in Baghdad on the lingering issues, including fiscal disputes.
The KRG sends a progress report to parliament every three months, according to an agreement with the Parliamentary Finance Committee, which is a monitory party in the process.
Today’s addressing marks the first report the ninth cabinet would submit to the parliament on the progress of reform.
The reform law drafted by the KRG’s ninth cabinet took effect in February 2020, after the Kurdistan Region’s Parliament approved it at the beginning of the year. A government committee has been preparing the report that documents all the steps taken so far.
Read More: KRG to send detailed report on progress of reform project to regional parliament
The law, consisting of 19 articles, focuses on introducing reforms in retirement, salaries, allowances, grants, and benefits within the new government’s work program in the region.
The reforms would end “abuse while protecting the rights of those with entitlements,” Prime Minister Barzani previously said.
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Editing by Karzan Sulaivany