Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani held a joint meeting on Tuesday with the Russian Deputy Prime Minister and the Saudi Minister of Energy.
The Prime Minister’s Media Office said in a statement received by the Iraqi News Agency (INA), that “Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani held a joint meeting with Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak and Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Energy Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman Al Saud.”
He added that “the meeting discussed the conditions of the global energy markets, and what is related to the production of crude oil and its flow to the markets and meet demand,” pointing out that “the importance of maintaining stability, balance and fair prices was stressed, while emphasizing the vital role played by the (OPEC Plus) group in this context.”
“A parliamentary movement to include the salary scale in the next session”
Next session “tomorrow” HoR will pass the adjustment of salaries due to change rate which requires change salaries scale.
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Parliamentary Movement to Include Salary Scale in Iraq's Next Session
A significant parliamentary movement is underway in Iraq to include the salary scale in the next session. This initiative aims to address the financial well-being of employees and streamline the budgeting process. As of November 26, 2024, the movement has gained momentum, with key figures and committees pushing for its approval.
Key Points and Developments
Parliamentary Legal Committee's Role
The Parliamentary Legal Committee, led by members like Muhammad Anouz, has been at the forefront of this movement. Anouz has emphasized the importance of financial laws for citizens, urging the government to align the necessary funds to pass these laws. He noted that the lack of sufficient funds has led to the delay of crucial laws, including the pension law, salary scale, social care, and the initiation of hiring.
Government's Justifications
Prime Minister Al-Sudani has cited the need to review and amend more than 34 laws as a primary reason for the delay in approving the salary scale. However, the Parliamentary Legal Committee has dismissed this justification, asserting that while the task is difficult, it is not impossible. Committee member Muhammad Al-Khafaji stated that the number of laws requiring amendment should not be a justification for delaying the process.
Financial Challenges
The Iraqi government faces significant financial challenges, which have contributed to the delay in addressing salary issues. The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), for instance, has been grappling with a severe financial crisis, exacerbated by the suspension of oil exports in March 2023. Despite efforts to resolve salary delays, the KRG continues to face implementation challenges, including the requirement for KRG employees to open accounts in Iraqi state-owned banks.
Public Outrage and Opposition
The issue of salary scales and financial reforms has also sparked public outrage. Reports of a "secret" salary increase for lawmakers have been met with widespread criticism and accusations of backhanded procedures. Opposition MPs and activists have accused supporters of the amendments of introducing changes without prior notice, stoking public anger toward the top legislative body.
Budget Discrepancies
The 2024 federal budget has faced criticism for various discrepancies, particularly in the allocation of funds for the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF). Hussein Moneis, a member of the Parliamentary Finance Committee, revealed that the total deficit in PMF salaries and discrepancies exceeds one trillion dinars. The government has the authority to make transfers, but the lack of a structured law for the PMF continues to pose challenges.
Conclusion
The parliamentary movement to include the salary scale in the next session is a critical step toward addressing the financial well-being of employees in Iraq. Despite the financial challenges and public outrage, key parliamentary committees and members are pushing for its approval. The success of this initiative will depend on the government's ability to align the necessary funds and streamline the legislative process.
We have been witnessing the preparation of a huge move for the Iraqi financial system come the end of the year.
I do not want anyone to think that everything will go so smoothly.
Iraq has already told us there will be some bumps but as the international community comes to support the dinar more and more things will then quickly recover.
US Ambassador: Our Partnership With Iraq Continues And We Are Committed To Supporting These Sectors
Monday 25 Nov 2024 | Economic Number of readings: 112 Baghdad / NINA / The US Ambassador confirmed the continuation of the US government's partnership with the Iraqi government and working hand in hand with various sectors, and providing sustainable energy to ensure a better future for future generations.
“Launching this program will help us secure Iraq’s future,” said US Ambassador Alina Romanowski during the launch of the Universal Access Program to Improve Water and Sanitation Services in Iraq today, Monday, in the capital Baghdad. “Launching this program will help us secure Iraq’s future. Last September, the US government, through the US Agency for International Development and UNDP, helped Iraq with existing strategies to protect the environment and diversity from climate change.” She added
“Launching the Universal Access Program to Water and Sanitation Services and Achieving Food Security for the Most Vulnerable People is an important strategic step. We believe that the importance of access to clean water in Iraq may pose a challenge to some citizens in the countryside or the city. We also see that there are many challenges that we can clearly see.”
She explained, “Climate change, unsustainable irrigation systems, and water pollution are emerging challenges to the environment and also affect people’s lives. Therefore, we are working today to invest in water and sanitation, and we can help build the basic infrastructure for this issue.”
She added, “The US government, through the US Agency for International Development, is cooperating today with UNICEF to launch this program, which will help provide financial grants to launch The comprehensive access to water and sanitation services program and the management of the water file in its entirety, will also help in the integration of various parties, including the international community, the public sector and the private sector, hand in hand to work with each other,”
indicating that “this partnership is to enhance water and sanitation services that help people to access safe drinking water, and there are 5.9 million people who may not be able to access this clean safe water.”
The US Ambassador stressed the need for community leaders, the public and private sectors, and all citizens to cooperate to rationalize water use, and the importance of this water for everyone.
She continued, "Since 2017, USAID has contributed to various programs and played an important role in helping 12 million citizens access safe water, and has also helped various water projects. For the period 2020-2023, USAID has also contributed to the reconstruction of 10 desalination plants in Basra, as well as helping five million people in Basra access healthy water."
She added, "This long-standing partnership with the Iraqi government, and cooperation with UNICEF since the beginning of this year, has helped the US Agency secure 18 million people to enhance access to water as well as various water initiatives, how to ensure the availability of water and its optimal use, and better manage water resources."
She pointed out that $15 million was provided last June to help food programs, enhance Iraqi community preparedness, and reduce the impact of climate on water projects, in addition to other initiatives in which women and youth contributed, indicating that “access to water is an important goal in the sustainable development agenda, and represents a commitment between our two countries to protect cultural and knowledge exchange.”
She added that “the importance of the sustainable support strategy for water management falls within the framework of an important environmental need that may help today in addressing water scarcity, addressing the problem of food and water security, and confronting climate change,” stressing that “the support that we are all committed to today will help us in various fields through various partnerships, projects, and assistance.” /End5 https://ninanews.com/Website/News/Details?key=1171022
