BAGHDAD, Iraq — A delegation from Iraq’s parliamentary finance committee will visit Erbil next week to evaluate the latest agreement between Baghdad and the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), concerning KRG salary payments and the transfer of non-oil revenues, announced Iraqi MP Mustafa Garawi.
The visit follows a series of high-level meetings on September 9th, when Iraq’s Ministerial Council for Economy, including Finance Minister Taif Sami, held discussions with the KRG’s Economic Council, led by Prime Minister Masrour Barzani, in Erbil. The negotiations concluded in an agreement aimed at resolving ongoing disputes over salary disbursements and revenue transfers.
KRG spokesperson Peshawa Hawramani stated that the federal government has agreed to release public employee salaries, while the KRG must address technical issues by year-end.
MP Ikhlas Dlemi noted that the finance committee’s visit will focus on reviewing these critical matters and ensuring both parties adhere to their commitments.
Despite past agreements, many have stalled in implementation. Iraqi-Kurdish lawmaker Dara Sekaniani criticized both sides, highlighting the KRG’s delayed compliance with a Federal Court ruling and the federal government’s reluctance to release funds due to alleged payroll inaccuracies.
Ongoing salary delays and disputes over oil and non-oil revenues continue to strain the relationship between Baghdad and Erbil, leaving KRG public employees facing decade-long significant financial challenges, with only one salary disbursed in the past 65 days.
Reporting by Zoom News’ Akam Fahmi from Baghdad.
