More than 60,000 contract employees across the Kurdistan Region still have not received their May salaries. This delay continues even though the government has completed salary payments for most public sector workers.
Most of the affected workers serve under the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Higher Education. Many employees expected their salaries before the end of May. However, they continue to wait for their monthly payments.
A senior official from the Ministry of Higher Education said the ministry has not received any information about contract salary payments. The official added that the Ministry of Finance and Economy has not provided a payment date.
The Kurdistan Region’s Ministry of Finance started distributing May salaries on May 26. The ministry completed the process on May 28. However, contract employees did not receive payments during that period.
Mohammed Najib, a representative of contract teachers, said financial challenges caused the delay. According to him, officials at the Ministry of Finance explained that the government currently lacks enough domestic revenue to pay contract employees.
Contract workers receive their salaries from domestic revenues collected inside the Kurdistan Region. As a result, any decline in available funds can affect payment schedules.
Najib said ministry officials informed representatives that the government transferred domestic revenues to Baghdad twice during the same month. He added that the latest transfer reached 50 billion Iraqi dinars. Because of these transfers, the ministry says it does not currently have enough funds to cover contract salaries.
The salary delay has created concern among thousands of workers and their families. Many employees depend on their monthly income to cover living expenses, household costs, and daily needs.
Representatives continue to follow up on the issue with government officials. However, they have not received a clear timeline for payment. Najib said officials do not expect salary distribution to begin this week. Therefore, thousands of contract employees may need to wait longer before receiving their May salaries.
