KRG Meets Obligations, But Baghdad Still Withholds Salaries: KDP MP Demands Answers
She reiterated that, under budget agreements, the federal government must transfer 960 billion Iraqi dinars monthly to the Kurdistan Region. “Far too often, the Federal Ministry of Finance withholds the region’s rightful share despite clear agreements,” she added.
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) — The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) has fulfilled all its financial commitments to Baghdad, including the transfer of local revenues, yet the federal government has not released April salaries to Kurdistan Region employees, according to a top Kurdish lawmaker who criticized the lack of transparency and accountability from Baghdad.
Vian Sabri, head of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) bloc in the Iraqi Parliament, told Kurdistan24 exclusively on Saturday that the Federal Ministry of Finance had previously raised objections over salary lists submitted by the KRG. However, this time, the ministry has made no remarks or objections to the latest payroll list, even confirming it has no issues. “Still, the salaries have not been sent, and Baghdad has not explained why,” Sabri said.
“The KRG has done everything required. We’ve sent half of our internal revenues to Baghdad,” Sabri emphasized. “Yet Baghdad has not transferred April salaries to public employees in the Kurdistan Region.”
She reiterated that, under budget agreements, the federal government must transfer 960 billion Iraqi dinars monthly to the Kurdistan Region. “Far too often, the Federal Ministry of Finance withholds the region’s rightful share despite clear agreements,” she added.
"Despite having fully paid the salaries of its own employees for the month of April, the Iraqi government has yet to transfer the same to public servants in the Kurdistan Region—offering no explanation for the delay, even though there are no issues with the payroll lists submitted by Erbil," said Sabri.
This discriminatory approach highlights Baghdad’s selective and politically motivated treatment of the Kurdistan Region, deepening mistrust and exacerbating financial strain on thousands of Kurdish families.
The tension over salary payments underscores Baghdad’s continued politicization of financial obligations and its failure to honor constitutional commitments to the Kurdistan Region. Despite Erbil’s consistent efforts to fulfill its responsibilities—particularly in transferring internal revenues—Baghdad has repeatedly used the budget as a political tool, unfairly punishing Kurdish civil servants and disrupting livelihoods across the Region.
According to the 2023 federal budget law, the Kurdistan Region is required to transfer 50% of its non-oil revenues and a share of oil income to Baghdad in return for a fixed monthly allocation to cover salaries and essential services. The KRG has complied with these terms in good faith, yet Baghdad has routinely failed to deliver the promised funds—delaying or withholding payments in violation of the agreement. These breaches not only violate the spirit of federalism but also intensify economic hardship for Kurdish citizens who depend on timely salaries.
Public sector employees in the Kurdistan Region have long suffered from irregular payments—not due to failures in Erbil, but because Baghdad continues to obstruct the Region’s financial dues. Despite the KRG’s efforts to maintain stability and serve its people, Baghdad’s politicization of salary disbursements has deepened public frustration and eroded trust. Each missed payment amplifies the call for a transparent, reliable mechanism to safeguard the Region’s financial rights.
