Iraqi parliament moves to amend unified retirement law after protests

BAGHDAD, Iraq — The Iraqi parliament has begun proceedings to amend the Unified Retirement Salary Law, following protests in Baghdad the day before demanding higher pensions and improved living conditions. Jamal Kochair, a member of parliament's Finance Committee, said in remarks to the official gazette that legislation directly affecting citizens must be reviewed when living and livelihood conditions change. Kochair said pensions should remain sufficient to meet retirees' needs and called for continuous monitoring of living costs and purchasing power. He added that salaries for retirees, civil servants, social welfare recipients and families of martyrs should all be reviewed, and stressed that retirees retain the right to demand and protest, while the government should make adjustments within its means. Addressing the financial dimension of the proposed amendments, Kochair said the institution bearing responsibility for the changes should be clearly identified, noting that the government should support the Retirement Fund if it cannot make the necessary adjustments independently. He also noted that the fund remains autonomous. Ibtisam Hashim al-Hilali, a member of parliament's Legal Committee, said signatures are being collected from members to submit a formal request to the parliament's speaker for amendments to the law. She said proposals include raising the retirement age from 60 to 63, as previously applied, with other provisions of the law to be reviewed by Legal Committee members and lawmakers. No further timeline for the amendments was given.