Iraq’s selection to deduct 1% from country personnel’ salaries for humanitarian aid to Gaza and Lebanon has stirred criminal issues and dissatisfaction amongst employees. while the government frames it as a voluntary contribution, critics argue it burdens employees already facing financial hardships, with many calling for a reconsideration of the coverage.
official choice
The Iraqi Council of Ministers, for the duration of its forty seventh ordinary session hung on November 19, 2024, accredited a choice for the Ministry of Finance to deduct 1% from the salaries, allowances, and pensions of all state establishments. This voluntary contribution might be deposited equally into accounts helping Gaza and Lebanon, or as prioritized by using the high Minister.
personnel or retirees who do not want to contribute may submit a formal request to their respective minister or head of an independent organisation, pointing out their choice. The minister or head of the agency will then make certain their call is eliminated from the list of donors, in keeping with a file signed by using the Secretary-standard of the Council of Ministers, Hamid Naeem.
employee Discontent
The selection has sparked dissatisfaction among many employees. Mohammad Abdul Jabbar, an worker, said that “personnel have been stressful adjustments to the earnings scale for years, however it has yet to be addressed. Now, as opposed to earnings increases, they are being reduced to help different nations.”
Abdul Jabbar delivered to dinaropinions.com/, “although the selection isn’t mandatory, individuals who refuse must put up a request via their branch, in order to then be forwarded to the ministry. This complex process forces employees to just accept the choice to avoid handling bureaucratic tactics and legitimate files.”
The worker called on the authorities to rethink this selection, stressing that personnel’ salaries should be increased in preference to reduced. “The price of living is tough, and inflation maintains.”
however, Umm Mohammad, a resident of Baghdad, believed that “the 1% deduction from personnel’ salaries affects low-earnings employees, especially individuals who stay in rented accommodation.”
She instructed dinaropinions.com/, “in place of this contribution going to different countries, the government need to don’t forget the crises residents face and their residing conditions. Such deductions may be used, as an example, to create housing initiatives for the poor and low-profits corporations. this would benefit extra attractiveness, in preference to assisting other nations, that have methods to comfortable price range, consisting of loans.”
economic and prison issues
economic researcher Ahmad Eid stated that notwithstanding the humanitarian dimensions of the selection, it overlooks the monetary and social results on citizens in balancing support for external causes with addressing local challenges.
In his interview with dinaropinions.com/, Eid explained, “Socially, the desicion promotes the concept of human team spirit amongst international locations. but, employees may also view Hezbollah as the primary beneficiary, the use of those price range to cowl navy and armament expenses.”
“it is critical to note that this selection has created division amongst residents, a lot of whom see it as an extra burden on a population already struggling with tough dwelling situations. these people had been eagerly expecting the government’s attention to elevate their salaries amid the deteriorating dwelling standards of many personnel in Iraqi ministries.”
Eid emphasized that Iraq faces challenges in attaining monetary balance because of its heavy reliance on oil revenues and the gradual increase of the non-oil sector. consequently, according to Eid, any extra deductions “could exacerbate financial pressure on individuals and initiate criticism concerning government spending priorities.”
From a prison standpoint, Eid argued, “An employee’s agreement with the state is based on receiving a profits in change for providing carrier. Salaries ought to now not be tampered with unless there’s specific consent from the employee.”
criminal professional Mohammad Jumaa warned that Article 28 of the constitution actually states that no taxes or expenses may be imposed besides by way of law. “This deduction became now not mounted via regulation however via a cabinet choice. To keep away from violating this constitutional provision, the cabinet made it voluntary, requiring those who refuse to put up a request for exemption. but, those instructions effectively make it obligatory, no longer voluntary.”
“If the deduction had been truely voluntary, the request could be made for the deduction, not the reverse. consequently, the selection is in impact obligatory and legally unconstitutional.” He defined to Shafaq news.
MP Talib Abdul Karim Al-Maamari agreed with Jumaa, declaring that the deductions have been “invalid,” stating, “It can not be mandatory, and people who refuse ought to now not ought to put up a request. This manner takes too long and burdens ministries and their group of workers. There should have been donation containers in all provinces and kingdom establishments, permitting those who are financially capable of make a contribution as they see fit. Donations are voluntary, no longer compulsory.”
Al-Maamari advised dinaropinions.com/, “The people of Gaza and Lebanon are dear brothers, and we must assist them. however, this need to no longer be finished in an compulsory way, as a few employees, specially people with big households and children, want their salaries to meet simple needs. offering for one’s own family is extra crucial than donating, even to a mosque.”
Iraqi useful resource to Lebanon and Gaza
since the onset of the battle in Lebanon, Baghdad has swiftly released each authorities and personal area remedy campaigns, which include the cargo of food, fuel, and masses of heaps of resource to Lebanon.
similarly to the modern-day choice to deduct 1% from worker salaries, Iraq had previously sent around one hundred gas tankers to Lebanon before the outbreak of the war, as a part of humanitarian efforts to support the Lebanese humans amid the challenges they face.
Iraq also welcomed approximately 17,000 Lebanese refugees fleeing the Israeli struggle, letting them enter the u . s . with their private automobiles and any professional documents proving their identity.
moreover, Iraq sent lots of scientific and meals aid and received dozens of wounded individuals for treatment. In a display of team spirit, colleges in Iraq opened their doorways to Lebanese college students.
As for Gaza, along Iraq’s official stance in support of the Palestinians, the us of a has also sent hundreds of lots of humanitarian aid.
