KRG Cabinet Secretary Calls for Resolution of Budget Dispute
In a Facebook post published Friday, Raheem highlighted that Articles 12 and 13 of Iraq’s Federal Budget Law—related to the Kurdistan Region’s oil obligations and non-oil revenues—remain points of contention between the KRG and the federal government.
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Cabinet Secretary Amanj Raheem has called for an end to the salary dispute between Baghdad and Erbil, citing a Federal Supreme Court ruling that states budget disagreements should not prevent the disbursement of public sector salaries in the Kurdistan Region.
In a Facebook post published Friday, Raheem highlighted that Articles 12 and 13 of Iraq’s Federal Budget Law—related to the Kurdistan Region’s oil obligations and non-oil revenues—remain points of contention between the KRG and the federal government. However, he stressed that these differences should not be used as a justification for withholding salaries.
Raheem shared the Kurdish translation of Paragraph 6 from page 15 of Federal Supreme Court Decision No. 224 and Unit 269 / Union / 2023, dated Feb. 21, 2024, which reads:
"The dispute between the federal government and the KRG regarding the implementation of Articles 12 and 13 of Federal Budget Law No. 13 of 2023 should not be the primary reason for withholding monthly salaries."
Echoing the court's stance, Raheem emphasized that while technical disagreements persist over implementation, the financial rights of civil servants must be protected.
The statement comes as frustration grows in the Kurdistan Region over the Iraqi Ministry of Finance’s recent decision to halt salary disbursements. On Thursday, the Kurdish bloc in the Iraqi parliament voiced strong concern and surprise at the ministry’s move, calling for an urgent resolution.
The Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) also issued a warning to Baghdad, stating it would take a “serious stance” if salaries are not released before the Eid al-Adha holiday.
The development adds to ongoing tensions over budgetary entitlements. It underscores the need for dialogue and adherence to the law to ensure that civil servants do not bear the brunt of political disagreements.
