KRG Council of Ministers address financial, pension, and electoral issues

ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – On Wednesday, Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani chaired a meeting of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Council of Ministers, addressing a range of critical issues including education, pensions, and financial coordination with Baghdad.

At the outset of the meeting, Prime Minister Masrour Barzani extended congratulations to the region's lecturers following the decision to transition their contracts to domestic revenue. He expressed hope that this decision would satisfy the teaching community and enhance their contributions to Kurdistan's education system.

The prime minister also celebrated a landmark agreement concerning pensioners, highlighting that, from this month forward, pensioners in the Kurdistan Region will receive salaries equal to their counterparts in the Iraqi government. This achievement follows a vote by the Council of Ministers to approve pension equalization, signaling an end to a long-standing disparity between the two systems. He reaffirmed his commitment to supporting the rights of pensioners, acknowledging their years of public service.

On the topic of electoral campaigns, the Prime Minister urged political parties to conduct their campaigns with civility, emphasizing the importance of adhering to the guidelines of the Independent High Election Commission. “We are all Kurds, and we must act responsibly,” Barzani stated, calling for respectful discourse.

Financial System Unification

One of the central issues discussed during the meeting was the unification of financial and accounting systems between the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) and the federal government of Iraq. Since 2014, financial separation from Baghdad, triggered by budget cuts, has led to divergent financial systems. The Council of Ministers unanimously approved a draft decision aimed at unifying these systems, which will resolve discrepancies in revenue, expenditure, and salary management between the two governments. This move is seen as a critical step toward aligning employee salaries across Iraq.

Baghdad Talks and Payroll Reforms

The Council reviewed the outcome of recent discussions between KRG officials and the Iraqi Ministry of Finance in Baghdad. A joint financial monitoring team has been auditing revenues, expenditures, and property. In line with these efforts, the Iraqi government has allocated funds for KRG salaries for July and August, furthering cooperation between the two sides.

The KRG Council instructed all relevant ministries to maintain coordination with Baghdad and expedite reforms, including the implementation of an electronic payroll system and biometric registration for civil servants. These reforms are aimed at ensuring equal and timely payment for Kurdistan Region civil servants, mirroring the rest of Iraq.

Upcoming Economic Talks in Erbil

Finally, the Council turned its attention to an upcoming meeting of the Federal Ministerial Economic Council, set to take place in Erbil. Prime Minister Barzani emphasized the importance of this meeting, noting that it presents an opportunity to address lingering issues between Erbil and Baghdad, particularly in areas concerning economic cooperation and constitutional powers. The Council urged all relevant parties to prepare for the meeting, intending to improve livelihoods across Iraq, including in the Kurdistan Region.

This session marked significant progress in fostering greater financial and political cooperation between the Kurdistan Region and the federal government, while also addressing domestic concerns regarding education and pensions.