Iraqi MP says 2027 draft budget to include contracts for ministry, health staff

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Iraqi lawmaker Mohammed Abu al-Is said Wednesday that Finance Minister Faleh Sari has approved the inclusion of financial allocations for contracted employees in the 2027 general budget draft. Speaking at a press conference inside parliament, Abu al-Is said a recent meeting with the finance minister produced an agreement to incorporate the contracted personnel departments of all ministries, led by the Ministry of Education, into the 2027 budget. The lawmaker added that a provision will be added to the draft to convert health and medical professionals into permanent staff based on abolished or newly created job grades. Addressing the salary scale, Abu al-Is said the current arrangement conflicts with law No. 34 in force and that the finance minister proposed an amendment to upgrade the grades of lower-income employees. Abu al-Is said official correspondence was sent to the Prime Minister's office to forward the draft to parliament, and that the response indicated the bill is under review by the relevant government committees. No further details were immediately available on the draft's parliamentary timeline.