Iraq’s New Govt Pushes For Huge Increase In Govt Jobs For Patronage

(Reuters)

Since the Sudani government took office in November 2022 one of its main priorities has been drafting a 2023 budget that includes thousands of new government jobs. This is important for the ruling coalition because these positions are dished out to followers for support and also to pillage the state. The problem is that this process is unsustainable.

Security In Iraq, May 1-7, 2020

(Shafaaq News)

The first week of May saw another jump in violence in Iraq. April had 111 security incidents reported with 109 likely by the Islamic State. That was the most since December 2019. The start of May had 44 incidents, 1 by a pro-Iran group. That was the highest count of any week this year. That number hadn’t been seen since the fourth week of May 2019. This is significant because it’s the only time insurgent attacks have carried over into a second month since January and February 2019.

2019 Returns Of Displaced In Iraq Continue At Higher Pace Then End Of 2018

Iraq still has over one million displaced (IDPs) caused by the war against the Islamic State. At the end of 2018 the number of returns dramatically slowed, but now it has slightly picked up in the near year.

Iraq’s Officials Becoming Drain On Budget

An auditor from Iraq’s Finance Ministry recently warned that salaries and benefits for Iraq’s politicians may eventually wreck the country’s budget. In 2008, an average Iraqi earned $266 a month, $3,200 a year. In comparison, a member of parliament earned $7,700 a month. They also receive 30 bodyguards, free accommodation, and a personal generator that together costs up to $10,000 a month. Former officials and parliamentarians also get a pension that is 80% of their salary. On top of that, in 2009 Iraq’s parliament passed a law allowing their wives and family to carry passports for ten years. They are also eligible for low interest loans worth up to $70,000 for cars and buying property. This year expenses will rise even more as the government will have to pay for the new lawmakers and the outgoing ones. The 2010 budget is also adding new regional officials so the total number of employees is going up as well. That same budget also included a 10% pay cut, but most think that was just symbolic. The auditor warned that if costs continue to go up, it could eventually be the largest expenditure in the budget in ten years, and deprive the country of much needed investment money. To solve the problem the Finance Ministry has proposed a 50% wage reduction for all public officials. That’s highly unlikely to happen as Iraq’s top officials and politicians are said to be opposed to it. The bloated government bureaucracy and the deadlocked parliament are already big enough problems for Iraq’s development. The fact that they are largely overpaid and becoming a drain on the country’s finances only makes the situation worse.

SOURCES

Najm, Hayder, “the huge, hidden salaries of iraq’s parliamentarians,” Niqash, 4/22/10

Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, “Iraqi Officials Warn Deputies’ Wages, Benefits Too High,” 4/24/10