Iraqi MPs push to add 9 public demands to federal budget law

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Iraqi member of parliament Abdulhamza Muneam Khafaji said lawmakers have begun collecting signatures, with the approval of the parliament's presidium, to push for the inclusion of several items in the federal general budget law. Khafaji said the demands directly affect the lives of thousands of Iraqi families. The requests include the permanent appointment of contract and daily-wage employees and a fair overhaul of the salary law for state and public-sector workers. MPs also want employees to receive raises and promotions from their entitlement dates and to complete delayed diploma and title calculations. Other items on the list include the completion of transfers for employees approved before a previous Ministry of Finance circular and the release of overdue payments to contracted farmers. Lawmakers are also calling for the launch of seventh-tier grants under the social protection network. The list concludes with calls for the appointment of postgraduate graduates, ranked applicants, and members of the health, medical and nursing professions. No further details on the signature drive or its timeline were immediately available.