Kurdistan Region Urges Swift Resolution on Salary Crisis, Citing PM Sudani’s Legal Authority
Kurdistan MPs urge PM Sudani to resolve salary crisis before Eid, citing his legal powers, as KRG condemns Baghdad's 'unconstitutional' withholding of wages.
By Ahora Qadi
ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – The head of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) bloc in the Iraqi Parliament, Vian Sabri, reaffirmed on Wednesday that Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani has the legal authority and capacity to resolve the ongoing salary dispute affecting public sector employees in the Kurdistan Region, calling on Baghdad to act before Eid al-Adha.
In an official statement, Sabri highlighted that “according to Article 60 of the Federal Budget Law, Prime Minister Sudani holds the power to increase financial allocations to cover deficits related to employee compensation, electricity needs, and essential goods.” She added, “He could have exercised these powers to ensure the disbursement of salaries to Kurdistan’s citizens before Eid and postponed resolving administrative issues until after the holiday. However, he has yet to use this authority in favor of the Kurdish people.”
Sabri emphasized the urgent need for unity within the Kurdistan Region, noting that “more than ever, we must consolidate our internal political forces and align our efforts in Baghdad to wield stronger influence.”
She also assured the Kurdish public that efforts are ongoing: “We remain committed to resolving the salary issue through all available constitutional, legal, and diplomatic means.”
Kurdistan Cabinet Condemns Salary Halt as Unconstitutional
On the same day, the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) held its weekly cabinet meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Masrour Barzani and attended by Deputy Prime Minister Qubad Talabani. The primary focus of the meeting was the status of public employee salaries.
Prime Minister Barzani reiterated that the KRG had fulfilled all of its obligations, providing complete financial data transparently to the joint auditing committee comprising representatives from the federal and regional audit bureaus. He referred to the binding agreement signed at the start of the 2025 fiscal year between the federal and regional finance ministries, which ensures full salary payments throughout the year.
PM Barzani cited the Federal Supreme Court’s ruling, which clearly states that disputes between Erbil and Baghdad over budget implementation must not be used as a pretext to halt salary disbursements. He also reminded that Iraq’s constitution enshrines the principle of equality among all Iraqis, and the court has emphasized the need to treat KRG employees on par with their federal counterparts.
KRG Labels Baghdad's Decision as Collective Punishment
The cabinet strongly condemned the federal government's decision to suspend salaries for the next eight months, labeling it as a political act that constitutes collective punishment against all citizens of the Kurdistan Region. With Eid al-Adha approaching, the council warned that the decision will have severe social and humanitarian consequences.
In response, the KRG cabinet reaffirmed that the federal finance ministry’s decision is unconstitutional and unlawful. It urged the federal cabinet to re-evaluate the decision in light of the Federal Supreme Court's ruling and honor the latest agreement between the two finance ministries.
Furthermore, the cabinet resolved to send an official letter to the international community and foreign diplomatic missions, detailing the constitutional, legal, and financial dimensions of the crisis and seeking international support to secure the Region’s rightful financial entitlements within Iraq’s constitutional framework.
