Iraqi Parliament Finance Committee Member: "We will continue pressure for KRG salary payments"

Nov. 12, 2024

ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) - Narmin Maarouf, a member of the Iraqi Parliament's Finance Committee, told Kurdistan24 today that the committee will maintain pressure on the Finance Ministry to ensure Kurdistan Region's salary payments continue, citing support from Federal Court decisions.

Regarding Oct. salaries, Maarouf explained that the "actual expenditure principle" continues to pose challenges for the Kurdistan Region's payroll disbursement.

"This will persist for several upcoming months because the Iraqi government hasn't been able to spend its full budget. Instead, Kurdistan's 12.67% share is being calculated based on actual expenditures, which contradicts the Federal Court's decision," she stated.

Maarouf also underlined that, “Kurdistan Region's returning revenues to Baghdad exceed previous estimates; also recent changes in pension and contract teacher payments have created additional payroll considerations.”

“The allocated money is lesser than the Kurdistan Region’s budget share; the currently allocated funds are insufficient to cover employee compensation,” she added.

According to the member of the Iraqi Parliament's Finance Committee, the committee “will continue pressuring the Finance Ministry to maintain regular salary payments.”

Regarding the 2025 budget and parliament's term extension, Maarouf clarified that only Article 12's second paragraph, concerning Kurdistan's oil production and exports, will be voted on during this session.

She revealed that the Iraqi government has approved a $16 per barrel production cost for Kurdistan's oil, though the draft law hasn't yet been submitted to parliament for discussion.

The salary payment issue between Baghdad and Erbil has been ongoing, complicated by disputes over oil revenue sharing and budget implementation.

The Federal Court's decisions have established legal frameworks for these payments, though implementation challenges persist.

The current focus on Article 12 regarding Kurdistan's oil exports represents a critical aspect of the broader federal-regional financial relationship.