Iraqi lawmaker urges review of public servant salary scale

BAGHDAD, Iraq — A member of the Iraqi parliament's Anti-Corruption Committee said the country will not need to draw on its strategic reserves, arguing that current reserves are sufficient to manage prevailing conditions. The lawmaker, Duha al-Kasir, warned that the impact of regional developments could continue for another two to three months. Al-Kasir called for a review of the public servant salary scale to ensure fairness across ministries, and said the parliament has a suitable basis to pass any amendment the government submits. She said the review is needed to address imbalances between ministerial pay structures. The lawmaker also addressed allegations of "office selling," describing the practice as a main gateway to corruption and saying she had received information that bargaining over positions had reached administrative levels such as school principals. Al-Kasir said she supports requiring political parties to disclose their assets and sources of funding.