The Iraqi Finance Minister has ordered all ministries and government entities to immediately grant eligible state employees their overdue bonuses and promotions, explicitly exempting these benefits from a recent restrictive ministerial circular to secure worker rights.

In a statement released Sunday, the ministry announced that the Finance Minister Faleh al-Sari has directed all ministries, non-ministerial entities, and governorates to grant eligible state employees their due bonuses and promotions, instructing them to complete all related administrative and financial procedures under current regulations.

Ministry Exempts Public Benefits From Circular 137137 Cuts 

The Minister confirmed that bonuses, promotions, political dismissal cases, and degree accreditations are exempted from Ministerial Circular No. 137137, ensuring these entitlements remain unaffected by the circular's regulatory procedures.

This directive was issued to prevent broad administrative spending cuts under Circular No. 137137 from inadvertently freezing the routine career advancements of public sector workers. 

By carving out these specific exemptions, the ministry aims to protect basic civil service benefits and maintain labor stability across Iraq's government institutions.

Ministry: Benefit Rollout Aims to Secure Rights and Enhance Job Stability 

Al-Sari emphasized that the rollout of these benefits is executed “within the framework of commitment to employee rights and entitlements, reflecting the ministry's keenness to enhance job stability.”