Iraqi writer calls for salary overhaul tied to family size

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Iraqi writer Nazim al-Abadi has proposed restructuring Iraq's salary and allowance system to address what he describes as entrenched social inequality, arguing that current pay scales ignore family size and leave household budgets exposed to inflation. In a published article, al-Abadi said child and spousal allowances have failed to keep pace with inflation and should be increased in line with the number of children. He also recommended attaching a symbolic public-sector salary to educational qualifications for stay-at-home wives and making it easier for women who wish to do so to register legally as housewives. The writer further called for eliminating housing, fuel, electricity and travel perks granted to senior officials, redirecting any resulting savings directly to families. He said such measures would deliver concrete support to anti-corruption efforts and are necessary to achieve social justice. The proposals are presented as recommendations in an opinion piece and have not been adopted by any government body. No further details on implementation were immediately available.