Advisor Affirms Government's Commitment to Securing Monthly Salaries Continuously

Prime Minister's advisor, Mazhar Mohammed Saleh, affirmed that salaries are secured, and efforts continue to ensure them by all available means. He stressed that the government and the Prime Minister represent the people, and the state's foundation rests on law and the constitution. Saleh clarified a liquidity crisis stemming from financial and geopolitical challenges, noting that the Strait of Hormuz conflict has hindered oil exports. Approximately 85% of Iraq's oil passes through this strait, with Asia consuming 70% of exported Iraqi oil. He added that the general budget is 90% reliant on oil revenues. He warned that a revenue drop below 10% would create a significant funding gap, especially as government salaries, associated wages, pensions, and social welfare network payments constitute the largest expenditures. The advisor explained that the monthly salary bill totals 8 trillion Iraqi dinars, covering about 10 million government income beneficiaries. These include employees in the center and the region, pensioners, laborers, welfare recipients, plus grants for dormant or loss-making public companies to secure their salaries. He further stated that securing salaries is a critical moral and national issue, highlighting that the food basket, which feeds 40 million Iraqis, is closely tied to the budget situation, whether through direct support or salary provision. Saleh indicated that the economy's current structural design is difficult to alter, but it will evolve with the progress of the state. He affirmed the government's high commitment to its principles to ensure monthly salaries, wages, pensions, and welfare networks, reiterating that salaries are secure and efforts to guarantee them are continuous.