Erbil, Kurdistan Region – In its weekly meeting today, the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Council of Ministers, chaired by Prime Minister Masrour Barzani, approved key decisions, including the exemption of martyrs' and political prisoners' children from repaying marriage loans. The council also strongly criticized the Iraqi federal government’s suspension of salary funding for KRG employees, calling it an unconstitutional "collective punishment."

The first agenda item addressed the ongoing salary crisis for KRG employees. Prime Minister Barzani stressed that the region has fulfilled all financial obligations and provided full transparency to federal auditors. He referenced a 2025 agreement between the KRG and Baghdad ensuring uninterrupted salary payments, in line with a Federal Court ruling that prohibits budget disputes from being used to withhold salaries.

Despite this, the federal government recently halted funding, a move the KRG condemned as politically motivated. The council warned that cutting salaries for the next eight months—especially before Eid al-Adha—violates constitutional guarantees of equality for all Iraqi citizens. It demanded an immediate federal review of the decision and announced plans to formally appeal to the international community for support.

In a separate decision, the KRG approved a proposal by the Ministry of Martyrs and Anfal Affairs to exempt eligible children of martyrs and political prisoners from repaying state marriage loans. The exemption, based on a March 2025 cabinet resolution, applies to those who have not previously received wedding grants or gifts. Minister Abdullah Haji Mahmoud presented the plan, which received unanimous cabinet approval.

The council also discussed improving conditions for contract workers paid through development and operational budgets. Acknowledging their demands as legitimate, the KRG tasked the Ministry of Finance with consolidating employment data across ministries for a future policy decision.

Concluding the session, the KRG declared a four-day Eid holiday from June 6 to June 9, with work resuming on June 10. Officials extended holiday greetings to Kurdistan’s Muslim community.