PUK Emphasises Protecting Kurdistan's Salaries from Political Disputes

Reports 02:44 PM - 2025-01-13

PUK's logo.

The Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) and its President, Bafel Jalal Talabani, consistently highlight the importance of ensuring that the salaries and livelihoods of the people of Kurdistan are not linked to political disputes. 

The PUK stresses the need to protect the financial rights of the citizens, particularly the salaries of civil servants, in accordance with the Iraqi Constitution and the rulings of the Federal Supreme Court.

Finding a Lasting Solution to the Issues

In this context, Rabiha Hamad, a member of the PUK’s Leadership Council, stated in an exclusive interview with PUKMEDIA: "President Bafel and the PUK have always stressed the importance of not intertwining the salaries and livelihoods of the people with political disputes and tensions, whether between the political forces in the Kurdistan Region or between the Region and Baghdad. The PUK continues to work towards a comprehensive and lasting solution to these ongoing issues, with frequent visits to Baghdad and meetings with all political parties."

She further explained: "The Iraqi Constitution guarantees that all citizens of Iraq can live freely and secure their rights, and there should be no discrimination among the Iraqi provinces, including the Kurdistan Region, particularly when it comes to financial entitlements."

The Leadership Council member also said: "While the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) had previously advocated for an independent economy, it has struggled to meet the needs of the Region’s citizens, especially in terms of civil servant salaries."

Ensuring Citizens' Rights and Ending Discrimination

On the same issue, Khidr Mustafa, another member of the PUK's Leadership Council, told PUKMEDIA: "The PUK remains resolutely committed to improving the living conditions of the people, continuously defending their rights. While demanding in Baghdad that the Region's civil servants salaries be kept separate from political conflicts, it also calls for an end to oppression and discrimination in the provision of services within the Kurdistan Region."

Mustafa added: "The PUK views it as its responsibility to correct the course of governance in Kurdistan for the benefit of the citizens. We have stressed this in our meetings with other parties regarding the formation of the new KRG cabinet." He noted: "The people of Kurdistan have clearly experienced discrimination and injustice under the current cabinet, which is why the PUK wants the new government to serve citizens fairly and equally. This message has been communicated to all parties, particularly the Kurdistan Democratic Party."

At the State Administration Coalition meeting in Baghdad on Sunday evening, 12th January 2025, PUK President Bafel Jalal Talabani emphasised resolving this matter and said: "From now on, it is unacceptable to link the salaries and livelihoods of citizens with political conflicts. According to the Constitution, the rights of employees in the Kurdistan Region must be protected just like those of employees elsewhere in Iraq. Their salaries must be distributed equally and simultaneously, and our citizens must not be denied their due entitlements."

Sources also indicate that President Bafel conveyed this message to representatives of foreign countries and political leaders in Iraq, urging that the issue of salaries not be politicised and that the citizens of Kurdistan not become its victims. He called for strict adherence to the decisions of the Federal Supreme Court to resolve the salary issue once and for all. 



PUKMEDI