The Iraqi government approved March salaries for public employees in the Kurdistan Region and is now waiting for non-oil revenues to transfer the payments. Officials confirmed that salary funds are ready. The Kurdistan Ministry of Finance will release payments once it receives the region’s share of non-oil revenues.
The approval came during a Cabinet meeting, led by Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ Al Sudani. Cabinet discussions included reducing 120 billion Iraqi dinars from Kurdistan’s non-oil revenues. However, the topic was not formally addressed in the session. Earlier talks between Al Sudani and Kurdistan officials, including Deputy Prime Minister Dr. Qubad Talabani and Finance Minister Taufiq Sami, agreed to reduce the amount by 60 to 70 billion dinars. The Kurdistan government will decide how much it can transfer immediately.
A senior Kurdish official in Baghdad said, “The salary funds are ready and approved. We are waiting for Erbil’s Ministry of Finance to send the non-oil revenues. Once received, we can pay the full salaries.” The Kurdistan Ministry of Finance and Economy added that it coordinates closely with Baghdad, but the exact March revenue is not fully clear yet.
Officials expect salary payments to start next week, with transfers scheduled for Wednesday. Thursday is a public holiday across Iraq, marking the country’s liberation from the Ba’athist regime.
The Kurdistan Ministry of Finance sent all required reports to Baghdad, including revenue and expenditure details for March. Once Baghdad confirms the data, it will release around 50 percent of the funds immediately. The Kurdistan Cabinet will approve the final payment to ensure employees receive their salaries efficiently and transparently.
This step strengthens cooperation between Baghdad and Kurdistan. It ensures timely salaries and smooth transfer of oil revenues despite Iraq’s ongoing fiscal challenges.
