President Bafel Jalal Talabani Leads Efforts to Resolve Kurdistan Region Salary Dispute

P.U.K 05:29 PM - 2025-08-12

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President of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), Bafel Jalal Talabani, is making determined efforts to reach a common understanding between the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) and the federal government regarding the issue of salaries for employees in the Kurdistan Region. In his various meetings and engagements, the PUK President has stressed the importance of resolving the salary issue and ensuring that employees are not made victims of political disputes.

President Bafel Defends Citizens’ Rights

During a meeting at Dabashan, Sulaymaniyah, on Monday with Mohammed al-Hassan, Special Representative of the Secretary-General of the United Nations in Iraq, President Bafel underlined the need to unify efforts to settle the salary problem facing the Kurdistan Region’s citizens. He stated: “The continuation of this issue will negatively affect the stability of our country. The most effective way forward is for everyone to adhere to the agreements, because we will not allow the lives and livelihoods of our people to be further endangered.”

In a separate meeting on the same day with Adriaan IJsselstein, Consul General of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to the Kurdistan Region, both sides stressed the importance of resolving disputes between the KRG and Baghdad through dialogue and mutual understanding. President Bafel said: “All parties must abide by the agreements reached so that the lives and livelihoods of our citizens are not made the victims of political conflicts.”

Earlier, on 21 July, President Bafel met Steven Bitner, Consul General of the United States to the Kurdistan Region, where both parties emphasised the need to implement the joint understanding between the regional and federal governments. Highlighting the difficult circumstances faced by citizens, especially salary recipients, President Bafel remarked: “No obstacles should be placed in the way of the understanding reached on the salaries issue. We are devoting all our efforts to its implementation and remain in constant contact with all relevant parties.”

On the same day, in a meeting with Andrew Bizley, British Consul General to the Kurdistan Region, the PUK President stressed the need for coordination and cooperation among all parties in both the Kurdistan Region and Iraq to overcome challenges. He reiterated: “As representatives of the people of Kurdistan, we travelled to Baghdad and held talks with the relevant parties to reach an understanding on sending salaries, as employees are facing difficult circumstances. Now is the time to implement this understanding, and I hope that no obstacles will be placed in its way and that oil exports will resume as soon as possible.”

He added: “The PUK believes in resolving problems through dialogue and is committed to protecting constitutional rights.”

Al-Sudani Commends President Bafel's Role

During the extraordinary session of the Federal Council of Ministers on 17 July 2025, held to ratify the memorandum of understanding with the KRG regarding oil, non-oil revenues, and salaries, Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani praised President Bafel's role. He thanked the PUK President for his successful efforts in negotiating and reaching an agreement with Baghdad to address the salary issue.

The PUK Acts Responsibly

Bestwn Saburaway, a former member of the PUK Leadership Council, told PUKMEDIA: “The PUK, under the leadership of Mr Bafel Jalal Talabani, recognises the necessity of resolving financial problems. He does not want citizens to be victims of political conflicts and is addressing this matter with the utmost responsibility and care.”

He continued: “The PUK works tirelessly to safeguard the lives and livelihoods of citizens and to develop the Kurdistan Region, striving to provide a decent standard of living. Defending citizens’ lives and livelihoods is one of its foremost priorities. President Bafel is doing everything possible to resolve outstanding issues.”

Saburaway emphasised: “The PUK is at the forefront of efforts to resolve problems, insisting on adherence to the Constitution and agreements. We believe all issues must be settled in coordination with the federal government. As partners in governance in Baghdad, we use all constitutional and legal means to serve the people of Kurdistan.”

Resolving Issues at Their Roots

Shirwan Mirza, a member of the Finance Committee in the previous term of parliament, told PUKMEDIA that the PUK believes in the need to address financial issues fundamentally. He recalled that during past negotiations between the KRG and the federal government, the PUK stressed the importance of resolving disputes with Baghdad in line with the Constitution and reaching a final agreement to settle all matters.

Mirza added that Deputy Prime Minister Qubad Talabani had personally led the KRG delegation to Baghdad, where he insisted on the need to secure an agreement with the federal government to ensure the payment of salaries to the Region’s employees.

A Timely and Significant Step

Commenting on President Bafel's recent visit to Baghdad, Mirza said: “This was an important and timely step, as financial disputes had significantly escalated. It reopened the door to understanding between the two governments, leading to a joint agreement under which one month’s salaries were paid to employees in the Kurdistan Region. This reflects the PUK’s firm belief in the need to resolve financial issues once and for all.”