Sixty Days Without Salaries: KRG Leaves Kurdistan Citizens in Economic Trauma
June 22, 2025 – London
It has now nearly 60 days since the government of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRG) last distributed monthly salaries for April, leaving public sector employees and countless families without income, while no clear plan has been announced to address the crisis.
Despite the growing economic hardship, KRG officials have remained silent or distracted by broader Middle Eastern instability. The ruling elite continues to deflect responsibility, while Masoud Barzani, leader of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), recently declared during a party meeting that no longer will we accept Baghdad’s conditions when it comes to the dignity of our people’s salaries.
His statement backfired. Following his remarks, the federal government in Baghdad decided to halt further salary transfers to the region a move that has pushed thousands deeper into poverty. The KDP and Barzani have since offered no serious response, effectively abandoning Kurdish citizens caught in the crossfire of political disputes.
The situation has deteriorated to a critical point. The region’s economy is increasingly dominated by politically connected businesses, while the majority of citizens rely heavily on monthly government wages to survive. Now, after two full months, no civil servant has received any payment, sparking public outrage and raising fears of further unrest.
The KRG’s failure to secure or distribute salaries exposes a broader collapse in governance and trust. With no solution in sight, Kurdistan’s ruling class continues to shield itself from consequences while its people are left to shoulder the crisis.
Author Profile
- Diyar Harki is an independent investigative journalist and human rights advocate. As a member of the National Union of Journalists (NUJ), he focuses on exposing corruption and human rights abuses in Kurdistan and Iraq. He voluntarily contributes to Kurdfile Media.
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