PUK 129: Nationalisation is Solution to Salary Issue, Not My Account

Reports 11:43 AM - 2024-10-06

PUK's logo.

The Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) seeks to nationalise (Tawtin) the salaries of civil servants in the Kurdistan Region in Iraqi state-owned banks and keep them away from political conflicts. Therefore, the PUK opposes 'My Account', a banking system introduced by Masrour Barzani for salary disbursement to civil servants. It urges civil servants to nationalise their salaries and create accounts in Iraqi state-owned banks.

PUK President Bafel Jalal Talabani said during the campaign rally of the PUK List 129 in Koya: "(‘My Account’) is neither mine nor yours. It is Masrour's account. The civil servants' must nationalise their salaries, not register for 'My Account’."

Kurdistan Employees Union rejects 'My Account'

The Kurdistan Employees Union/Sulyamaniyah Branch said in a statement obtained by PUKMEDIA: "We affirm our endorsement of PUK President Bafel Jalal Talabani's historic decision to reject 'My Account,' and we also express our support for the nationalisation of civil servants' salaries in the Kurdistan Region through one of the Iraqi federal banks (Rafidain, Rashid, TBI) in accordance with the ruling of the Iraqi Federal Court."

The statement added: "We, representing all civil servants, support President Bafel Jalal Talabani's decision to shut down 'My Account' and to pursue the nationalisation of civil servants' salaries, safeguarding their rights and financial entitlements, while resolving the issue of salary disbursement delays."

Benefiting from advances and loans

Shilan Zirar Rahman, candidate No. 12 of the PUK List 129 in Erbil constituency, told PUKMEDIA: "The resolution of civil servants' salary disbursement in the Kurdistan Region can only be done by nationalising salaries via federal banks and not via ‘My Account’."

She added: "Nationalising civil servants' salaries via federal banks allows them to access all advancements, loans, and privileges offered by the Iraqi government, whereas banks associated with 'My Account' exploit civil servants' salaries and impose fees."

She said: "Nationalisation guarantees civil servants' salaries, ensuring timely and uninterrupted payments, whereas 'My Account' monopolises these salaries for trading purposes."

'My Account' is not transparent 

Rebwar Mohammed Salih, candidate No. 50 of PUK List No. 129 in Sulaymaniyah constituency, told PUKMEDIA: "('My Account') lacks transparency and legality, favouring the interests of a family while neglecting the civil servants. The contract signed between the banks associated with 'My Account' and the civil servants constitutes an unlawful contract that imposes certain obligations on the employees while failing to provide their rightful entitlements. This matter is in the interest of a family in the Kurdistan Region."

He said, "President Bafel Jalal Talabani rectified the injustice faced by employees, and his decision to terminate 'My Account' is both legal and legitimate, as the banks involved are neither independent nor state-owned, and they operate solely to benefit their proprietors rather than civil servants."

Evading the Federal Court's Decision

Shirwan Mirza, a former member of the Iraqi parliament, told PUKMEDIA: "Nationalisation is the best solution to protect civil servants' salaries and implement the Iraqi Federal Court's ruling without avoiding it."

He added: "(’My Account'), which is being developed by the Kurdistan Regional Government, constitutes an evasion of the Federal Court's ruling, while nationalisation facilitates the direct disbursement of civil servants' salaries without difficulties."

To address the salary dispute between Baghdad and Erbil, the Federal Court has resolved to establish a state-owned bank in the Kurdistan Region to nationalise civil servants' salaries and distribute them through this bank, thereby eliminating deceased individuals, duplicates, and fake names from the KRG salary list. However, Kurdistan Region's Prime Minister Masrour Barzani announced a banking system for disbursing the salaries of the Kurdistan Region's civil servants under the name of ‘My Account’.

‘My Account’ is entirely at odds with the Federal Court's order, and the banks within the system are private and lack guarantees; hence, in the event of bankruptcy, civil servants' salaries will be lost.

The sixth term of the Kurdistan parliamentary elections is scheduled to take place on October 20, 2024. The PUK is contesting with PUK List 129 and 172 candidates under the slogans "Correcting the Course of Governance" and "We Will End It."


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