Sulaymaniyah residents with disabilities face unexpected deductions

SULAYMANIYAH – People with disabilities have finally received their long-delayed salaries for February but are encountering unexpected deductions. A source from the city’s finance department highlighted that these reductions, in some cases up to 50,000 dinars, were due to recipients obtaining additional incomes.

One affected individual shared with 964media, “My monthly salary is 150,000 dinars, but today I received only 100,000 dinars, meaning there was a deduction of 50,000 dinars, and I don’t know why.”

Explaining the rationale behind the deductions, a representative from the Sulaymaniyah Finance Directorate told 964media that the cuts were applied to those who have more than one source of income: “Those subject to reductions receive other salaries, and I cannot provide more information.”

Some individuals are eligible to receive the pension intended for a deceased parent on top of their salary from the Finance Directorate.

The Kurdistan Regional Government began distributing salaries for February this week after receiving funds from the federal government.

Veteran entertainer Ali Sheikhan, after dedicating 36 years to his craft, finds himself allocating his entire pension to settling debts before even reaching home. “Before I even make it home, I have to give away my pension towards repaying debts,” Sheikhan commented. He criticized the government’s approach towards its citizens, particularly artists, stating, “The government is a poor provider for its family; in our country, there is no respect for art.”

With chronic salary and pension delays in the Kurdistan Region, many civil servants and benefits recipients resort to borrowing to fund long stretches with no income. Many months’ worth of pay have gone unpaid over the past decade.

Despite appearing less frequently in public with age, Sheikhan remains recognized for his star billing in the beloved series “Gerdelul.”

“Even if I were in my coffin, I would still act.”