PM Masrour Barzani addresses employment challenges, emphasizes private sector development

ERBIL (Kurdistan24) - Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani, during a town hall meeting with representatives from various social groups in Duhok province, addressed the region's employment challenges and outlined his government's approach to job creation.

The Prime Minister highlighted a significant grievance with the federal government, noting that since 2013, Baghdad has suspended the Kurdistan Region's share of public sector employment opportunities.

"While we want every individual in the Kurdistan Region to have their own income source, whether in the public or private sector, it's impossible for the government to employ every university graduate," Barzani explained.

He emphasized the importance of creating diverse opportunities, particularly for young people, in the private sector.

"The government must facilitate various opportunities for people, especially youth, to work and play active roles in the private sector," the Prime Minister stated.

Addressing the relationship with Baghdad, PM Barzani revealed that his government has repeatedly raised concerns about the federal government's exclusion of the Kurdistan Region from Iraq's public sector employment quotas since 2013.

"This situation cannot continue indefinitely," he noted.

The Prime Minister outlined his government's employment strategy: "While we aim to employ those who are needed in the public sector or those who are particularly interested in government work, we must address the question of what happens to those who cannot be absorbed into the public sector."

"The best solution," Barzani explained, "lies in creating and facilitating job opportunities, particularly considering the Kurdistan Region's young population. Many can perform better work outside government institutions, and it's the government's responsibility to support them in these endeavors."

He also announced that the government is developing a special program for the Shiladze area, demonstrating a commitment to addressing employment needs at the local level.

This approach marks a shift in employment policy, emphasizing private sector development alongside traditional public sector employment, as the Kurdistan Regional Government works to create sustainable economic opportunities for its growing workforce.

The Prime Minister's comments reflect the KRG's broader economic vision, which seeks to balance public sector employment with private sector development, while addressing the challenges posed by Baghdad's employment policies toward the region.