KRG’s Ninth Cabinet Accumulates 13 Unpaid Months of Employee Salaries

Reports 11:11 AM - 2025-12-22

Iraqi Currency: 50,000 Dinars.

Despite the passage of six years and six months since the formation of the ninth Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) cabinet, the salary crisis remains unresolved. During this period, the government has failed to pay 13 full monthly salaries and has imposed deductions ranging from 10 to 21 per cent on a further 10 salaries. This situation forms part of a prolonged financial crisis that has persisted for more than a decade, during which successive governments have been unable to deliver fundamental solutions. As a result, the non-payment of end-of-year salaries has become almost routine.

A Financial Crisis Since 2014

The origins of the Kurdistan Region’s financial crisis date back to late 2014, following the KRG’s announcement of a shift towards a so-called “self-reliant economy” based on oil revenues, alongside its failure to comply with financial agreements with the federal government. The effects of this crisis became evident by mid-2015, prompting the introduction of salary deductions as a means of addressing the growing budget deficit. These deductions continued until July 2021, while irregular salary payments persist to this day.

Savings and Deductions Under the Eighth Cabinet

In September 2015, during the eighth cabinet, the KRG introduced a “salary savings” scheme. Under this policy, five full salaries were withheld in the name of savings, while 34 salaries were paid with deductions. This placed a substantial burden on public-sector employees and had a direct negative impact on their standard of living.

2020: The Most Difficult Year for Employees

The ninth cabinet, which secured parliamentary confidence on 10 July 2019, oversaw the most severe phase of the salary crisis, particularly in 2020. From February of that year, salaries were paid with deductions, and only five full salaries were disbursed in total. Salaries for April, May, June, July, and August were not paid at all. Salaries for September and October were issued with deductions, while those for November and December were withheld entirely. The first six salaries of 2021 were also paid with deductions.

A Brief Improvement Followed by Renewed Non-Payment

In 2022, the salary situation improved relatively, with all monthly salaries paid in full and without deductions. However, this improvement proved temporary. The government soon reverted to withholding salaries, failing to pay three months’ salaries at the end of 2023, as well as the final month of 2024. This year, salaries for the past three months have yet to be paid, with only unconfirmed reports suggesting that October’s salary may be released soon.

Thirteen Unpaid Salaries During the Ninth Cabinet

An overall review of developments shows that during its six-and-a-half-year tenure, the ninth KRG cabinet failed to pay 13 full salaries. In addition, 10 salaries were paid with varying levels of deductions, underscoring the persistence of the salary crisis and the absence of lasting solutions.

Salaries Must Be Prioritised Above Political Disputes

As elections for the Kurdistan Parliament and the Iraqi parliament took place and efforts continue to form new governments at both regional and federal levels, the PUK stresses that the next phase must prioritise public service. The party emphasises the importance of keeping salary payments and financial entitlements separate from political disputes and calls for sustainable solutions that ensure long-term economic stability for employees.


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