Iraq's finance ministry yet to release funds for public-sector salaries

BAGHDAD, Iraq — A source close to the Iraqi Ministry of Finance said Sunday that funding for state employees' salaries this month has not yet been released and that the procedures required for payment have not been completed. The source attributed the delay to a liquidity squeeze and a decline in revenues, which have held back budget allocations to ministries and state institutions. The ministry is working to secure the financial allocations needed to guarantee and disburse the salaries, according to the source. Efforts are continuing to obtain the requested amounts and complete the required financial procedures, with the release of the funds and the payment of salaries expected in the coming period. The source identified the main factors behind the funding delay as a lack of liquidity and a drop in government revenues. It provided no assessment of the impact any continued delay in salary payments could have on public services in Baghdad or elsewhere in the country. No further details were immediately available.