Kurdish Parties Except KDP Demand Salary Nationalisation

Reports 02:16 PM - 2024-11-05

PUK, KJG, KIU, New Genration Movement's logos.

Around 140 Iraqi lawmakers, including over 10 bloc leaders, four of whom represent Kurdistani blocs, support the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK)'s initiative to nationalise (Tawtin) the salaries of civil servants in the Kurdistan Region through state-owned banks, a decision that aligns with the ruling of the Federal Supreme Court. However, the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) intends to establish bank accounts for its civil servants in private banks, designated as 'My Account' Project, prompting protests from both Kurdish and Iraqi factions.

Nationalisation (Tawtin) is consistent with the Constitution and the Federal Court's decision

Harem Kamal Agha, leader of the PUK bloc in the Iraqi parliament, told PUKMEDIA: “PUK President's message about terminating 'My Account' and supporting nationalisation aligns with the Constitution and the Federal Court's ruling, as the matter of salary nationalisation has been determined by the Federal Court, necessitating that salaries be nationalised through Iraqi state banks."

"Nationalisation provides a superior assurance for the typical wage earner in the Kurdistan Region and aligns with the Federal Court's ruling, necessitating its implementation," he said.

Nationalisation solves the salary problem

Soran Omar, leader of the Kurdistan Justice Group (KJG) bloc in the Iraqi parliament, stated to PUKMEDIA: "The execution of the Federal Court's decision will resolve the salary issue in the Kurdistan Region, and the KRG must adhere to the Federal Court's ruling."

Omar stated that if any party, including the KRG, contravenes the Federal Court's decision, it indicates a lack of desire to resolve the salary issues concerning civil servants.

The KRG is fighting for private banks

Muthanna Amin, leader of the Kurdistan Islamic Union (KIU) bloc in the Iraqi parliament, said during a press conference:

"The Federal Court's ruling on the nationalisation of civil servants' salaries in the Kurdistan Region is conclusive and must be executed. Any authority attempting to compel employees to nationalise their salaries in chosen banks is acting unlawfully. We assert that the nationalisation within one of the Iraqi state banks not only adheres to the Federal Court's ruling but also ensures the salaries of civil servants in the Kurdistan Region."

"There is no justification for the KRG to fight for a number of private banks. On the contrary, it is the responsibility of the KRG and ourselves to ensure the salaries of civil servants, rather than fight for private banks," he stated.

We are not fighting a losing battle for 'My Account'

Amin further stated: "The civil servants have the right to select their preferred state bank, and we will resist any pressure directed at them. It is a shame not to allow the salary problem to end. At the same time, the attempt from Sulaymaniyah aligns with the stipulations of the Federal Court, it constitutes nationalisation."

He added: "The KRG lacks legal grounds to substitute Nationalisation with "My Account." As MPs, we will solely fight for the sovereignty of the Region's people and its accomplishments, and we will not fight for "My Account" or any private banking institutions. Any employee who forcibly opened a bank account in a private institution may transfer their account to an Iraqi state bank in accordance with the law."

The PUK is trying to implement nationalisation from the parliament

Karwan Yarwais, rapporteur of the PUK bloc in the Iraqi Parliament, told PUKMEDIA: "Our bloc has gathered 138 signatures from members of the Iraqi parliament to enact nationalisation and abolish 'My Account,' which have been submitted to the Iraqi Prime Minister and the director of the Iraqi Central Bank."

"As the PUK bloc, we deem it our obligation to assist civil servants and endeavour to execute the Federal Court's decision," he stated.

The PUK persists in its endeavours to ensure the rights of the Kurdistan Region's people, safeguard the entitlements of civil servants, and oppose the 'My Account' Project by two actions, one being a legal case filed in the Karkh court in Baghdad against the implementation of 'My Account.' The PUK bloc in the Iraqi parliament gathered 138 signatures, comprising 10 bloc leaders, four of whom are Kurds, which have been submitted to the Iraqi Prime Minister and the director of the Iraqi Central Bank.

On February 21, 2024, the Iraqi Federal Court ordered Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani and Kurdish Prime Minister Masrour Barzani to nationalise the salaries of civil servants, including those in the Kurdistan Region, in one of the Iraqi state-owned banks by the end of this year.

The measure would be effective in removing deceased individuals, duplicates, and fake names. However, Kurdistan Region's Prime Minister 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.



PUKMEDIA