Kwestan Mohammed, KRG Minister of Labour and Social Affairs, told Channel8 that non-oil revenue covers less than a quarter of the salary payments, while oil revenue for the government stands at zero, adding that 160,000 barrels of oil are supplied daily to local refineries.

“Currently, 160,000 barrels of oil are produced for domestic refineries, and the rest is for oil companies,” Mohammed said.

She emphasized, “The oil revenue is zero for the Kurdistan Regional Government and none of the oil produced is for us.”

Mohammed explained that the Iraqi government has requested 250,000 barrels of oil, with portions allocated to the companies, the Iraqi government itself, and the refineries to produce oil and gasoline.

On salary distribution from domestic revenue, she said, “The non-oil revenue is not enough for a quarter of the salary. The revenue available to the Minister of Finance is 160 billion dinars.”

“All the ministers agreed to make a last attempt to resolve the salary issue with Baghdad, because it is a legal and constitutional right of the Kurdistan Region’s employees,” she added.

Mohammed stated they are awaiting Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani’s approval of the agreement, and that two months’ salary must be sent to the Kurdistan Region.

The Minister also noted that 53,449 job positions have been provided insurance in the Kurdistan Region, including 182,984 workers.

She added that construction workers and taxi drivers cannot be provided insurance according to the law, along with employees of organizations and those working in consulates, “we do not have a survey to see how many workers remain to be provided.”