Iraq ministry calls social-protection cut claims fabricated

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Iraq's Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs has rejected as fake a document circulating on social media that alleged some social-protection benefit recipients had been removed from the program. In a statement, the ministry said the document had no basis in fact and that no decision had been taken to exclude any category of beneficiaries from assistance. The ministry said the categories covered under the Social Protection Law and its implementing provisions remain unchanged. Payments continue to be disbursed regularly to eligible recipients in line with current regulations, it added. Households living below the poverty line remain within the program under the established targeting criteria, the ministry said. It urged citizens not to trust forged news or documents and not to share unverified information, directing the public to rely only on the official platforms of the ministry and the Social Protection Authority.