Iraq Delays Salary Payment during Ramadan Sparks Outrage
- VIVA.co.id/Natania Longdong
He also stressed: "The KRG has no excuses for not sending the formal payroll of the Kurdish security forces. If they do not send the payroll, and if I were the Iraqi PM, I would not send a penny to those forces. If you have formal forces, the payroll should be clear,"
Amin anticipated that the pending financial issues between the KRG and the Iraqi federal government would be resolved within the coming months since the decision by Iraq's top court is binding on all authorities across the country.
Public sector employees are furious with the Kurdish authorities and accused them of stealing the payments that Baghdad has sent as salaries.
The KRG's with holding of salaries has caused a significant recession in the local markets while the needs of people are increasing in the holy month of Ramadan.
The KRG advocates for federal payments to be routed through private sector banks in the region, which are predominantly owned by Kurdish ruling parties.
This arrangement would result in significant financial gains for the parties, as they would earn millions of dollars each month by opening accounts for KRG employees.
However, the Iraqi government opposes this proposal, citing its contradiction with a decision by Iraq's top court.
Muslim preachers across the region have rebuked the Kurdish authorities for not distributing the salaries.
A main Kurdish opposition party has threatened to raise a complaint in Baghdad against the KRG, accusing the regional government of 'stealing' the payments that the federal government has sent.
In a statement, the KRG Council of Ministers said that the Iraqi government has only sent 59 percent of the funds needed to pay the nearly 1200,000 people on the public payroll.
Indonesia Revokes Mining Permits of 4 Companies in Raja Ampat
The Indonesian government has officially revoked the mining business permits (IUP) of four companies operating in Raja Ampat, Southwest Papua.
