Iraq's finance minister orders payment of legal raises, promotions for public staff

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Iraq's Finance Minister Faleh Sari issued a written directive on Sunday to all ministries, non-ministerial institutions and city administrations instructing them to process due legal raises and promotions for public employees. According to a Finance Ministry statement, the required administrative and financial procedures under current regulations must be completed for the payments to be made. Sari noted that legal raises, promotions, the restoration of rights of employees dismissed for political reasons, and the calculation of educational degree increments had been excluded from a previous ministry circular numbered 137137. The statement said the exception ensures these matters are not affected by the regulatory procedures outlined in that circular. The directive was issued, it added, to safeguard employees' rights and ensure the timely payment of their legal entitlements. The ministry also said the measure aims to protect staff financial security and support a stable working environment. No further details on implementation timelines or affected categories of employees were immediately available.