Iraqi author Jawad al-Tunisi urges Prime Minister to address retirees' hardship

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Iraqi author Jawad al-Tunisi has appealed to Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani to address the financial difficulties facing retirees, saying pensions have not kept pace with rising living costs and inflation. In the appeal, al-Tunisi said current pension levels fail to cover essential needs, including healthcare, medication and basic living expenses, and called for salaries to be adjusted in line with inflation. He also urged improvements to health services for retirees, expanded support programs and a revision of the pension scale. Al-Tunisi framed the measures as a question of social justice and public trust in the state, arguing that protecting retirees is a moral and national responsibility and a foundation of a stable society. He called on the government to implement pension rights guaranteed under the constitution and existing laws without further delay. No immediate response from the Prime Minister's office was reported.