Iraqi parliamentary finance committee assures salaries are ‘entirely secured’ for 2025 amid rumors on liquidity issues

BAGHDAD — The Parliamentary Finance Committee has assured the public that salaries for employees, retirees, and social welfare beneficiaries are fully secured for 2025, dismissing concerns about potential funding shortfalls.

“Salaries for all employees, retirees, social welfare beneficiaries, and other groups are entirely secured for the current year. There is no basis for the concerns being circulated,” said Jamal Kocher, a member of the Finance Committee, in a statement to state owned newspaper Al-Sabah.

MP Rafiq Al-Salihi reinforced this message, calling the rumors of insufficient liquidity unfounded and affirming that the government has provided clear guarantees for salary funding.

“The claims about insufficient funds for salaries are baseless. The government has ensured financial allocations are in place,” Al-Salihi stated.

He urged official authorities to actively counter misinformation and provide transparent explanations to the public to maintain trust and prevent unnecessary concern.

“Parliament will continue to monitor this issue closely to guarantee financial and economic stability in the country,” Al-Salihi added.

In December 2024, for the second time that year, Iraq’s Ministry of Finance addressed circulating rumors on social media regarding an alleged inability to disburse December salaries. The ministry denied these claims, stating that the information was “is entirely untrue and has no connection to reality.” They emphasized their commitment to ensuring the timely payment of salaries for all government employees, retirees, and social welfare beneficiaries.

Concerns about liquidity shortages have been anticipated due to Iraq’s heavy reliance on oil revenues, which constitute approximately 90% of government income. Fluctuations in global oil prices directly impact the country’s financial stability, leading to apprehensions about potential delays in salary payments and other government expenditures.