Baghdad – On Sunday, Kurdish Prime Minister Masrour Barzani called on the federal government to release Kurdistan Region salaries for public sector employees without conditions. He spoke to reporters during his visit to Duhok and said that the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) had met its commitments. Barzani emphasized that Kurdistan Region salariesshould not become a political tool. He urged Baghdad to honor its agreements.
Since March 2023, Baghdad has issued temporary advances instead of standard budget transfers to the KRG. This disruption followed an arbitration ruling that stopped the KRG from independently exporting oil through Turkey’s Ceyhan port. The decision sharply reduced the region’s revenue.
The issue of Kurdistan Region salaries has caused repeated tensions. The federal government links the KRG’s financial entitlements to oil revenue transfers, a major point of disagreement. Barzani criticized this approach, arguing that financial agreements should remain fair and free from political manipulation.
Iraq’s Federal Supreme Court ordered Baghdad to directly pay Kurdistan Region salaries, bypassing the KRG. Despite this ruling, tensions persist. The KRG argues it has complied with the 2023 federal budget law by transferring 50% of its non-oil revenues and oil income to Baghdad. It accuses the federal government of “failing to meet its obligations” and violating constitutional provisions.
Barzani’s call highlights the urgency of resolving the salary dispute. He stressed that both sides must meet their commitments. Without an agreement, public sector workers will continue to face delays in receiving Kurdistan Region salaries.
