Economist: Iraq Salary Reform Could Curb Corruption and Boost Productivity

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Economist Nassir al-Tamimi stated that proposed adjustments to Iraq’s salary scale serve as an administrative reform tool capable of reducing corruption and increasing productivity. He argued that aligning compensation with job duties, qualifications, and professional experience will improve employee performance and job satisfaction within state institutions. Al-Tamimi noted that a more balanced wage structure would help mitigate labor turnover and limit administrative corruption driven by low income. He emphasized that the salary scale should be viewed as a mechanism to ensure equity in the public sector by narrowing the pay gap between different professional ranks. The primary challenge for the reform remains identifying sustainable financial resources to fund salary adjustments without negatively impacting investment spending or the national budget deficit, according to al-Tamimi.