Kurdistan Region Accuses Baghdad of Political Interference Over Salary Cuts, Says Decision Orchestrated by Shiite Coordination Framework
the former advisor at the Iraqi Ministry of Finance accuses Baghdad of politically motivated salary freeze, violating constitution. KDP to hold emergency meeting on unified response to protect Kurdish rights.
By Ahora Qadi
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – The former advisor at the Iraqi Ministry of Finance, Rebaz Hamlan, on Friday accused Baghdad of violating the constitutional rights of the Kurdistan Region by halting the transfer of public employee salaries, asserting that the move was politically motivated and directed by the Coordination Framework, a coalition of Shiite political factions in Iraq.
In an exclusive interview with Kurdistan24 on Friday, Hamlan criticized the federal government for failing to uphold constitutional commitments to the Kurdistan Region, despite being formed with direct support from Kurdish political leadership.
A Constitutional Breach Backed by Political Influence
Hamlan stated that “successive governments in Baghdad have consistently violated the constitutional rights of the people of the Kurdistan Region,” stressing that no legal or financial justification exists for the decision by the Federal Ministry of Finance to withhold salaries.
He revealed that the recent directive to freeze salary payments—issued by Finance Minister Taif Sami—was not taken independently but followed instructions from the Coordination Framework, a bloc composed of leading Shiite parties including State of Law, Fatah, Hikma, and Victory coalitions. The Framework was established in March 2021 at the residence of former Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki to consolidate opposition to the Sadrist movement and coordinate the positions of dominant Shiite forces in parliament.
According to Hamlan, a close associate of the minister confirmed that Sami acted under pressure from the Coordination Framework and now fears the repercussions of this politically charged decision.
Federal Rulings Ignored
Hamlan emphasized that the Federal Supreme Court had previously ruled that salary payments must not be tied to political disputes or linked to oil and non-oil revenues. “Baghdad’s actions represent a flagrant breach of both the Constitution and judicial decisions,” he said, reiterating that the salaries of Kurdish public servants should not be weaponized in political conflicts.
Democratic Party Convenes Political Meeting
In response to the escalating crisis, Kurdistan24 correspondent reported that the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) will host an emergency meeting today Saturday, to discuss the ramifications of Baghdad’s decision and its impact on the livelihoods of citizens in the Region.
The meeting, scheduled for 11:00 a.m. at the KDP Political Bureau in Pirmam, will bring together all major political parties in the Region. The aim, according to KDP sources, is to develop a unified Kurdish response and a coordinated political strategy in light of the federal government’s continued measures against the Region.
Toward a Unified Kurdish Stance
KDP officials told Kurdistan24 that Saturday’s session will focus exclusively on the salary issue and its broader socioeconomic consequences, as well as potential steps to confront Baghdad’s policies. The party seeks to galvanize consensus among Kurdish factions and reassert the Region’s constitutional entitlements in ongoing dialogues with the federal government.
Hamlan concluded his remarks by reaffirming that the KRG “will not remain silent while basic rights are being undermined,” and called for adherence to the Constitution and prior agreements between Erbil and Baghdad.
