Kwestan Mohammed, the Minister of Labour and Social Affairs of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), announced that the Council of Ministers approved a proposal in Wednesday session ensuring a 500,000-dinar minimum pension for private-sector retirees. She also confirmed that a KRG delegation will visit Baghdad next week to discuss remaining issues regarding the ASYCUDA customs system.

The cabinet convened today to address two primary agenda items: the implementation of the ASYCUDA system between the KRG and the federal government, and the private sector social security and pension framework.

KRG Unanimously Approves 500,000 Dinar Minimum Pension 

After the meeting, Kwestan Mohammed told Channel8 that following the submission of a report, the Council of Ministers “unanimously” supported a proposal ensuring that the pensions of private sector retirees will not fall below 500,000 dinars. 

She noted that this measure also encompasses currently retired workers whose pensions are below 500,000 dinars, adding, “We are striving to ensure that social security covers every worker in the Kurdistan Region.”

Mohammed explained that the decision is legally grounded in the cabinet-approved Iraqi Pension Law, which mandates a baseline minimum of 500,000 dinars for all retired employees. 

She added that the measure additionally relies on a 2012 amendment to the Retirement and Social Security Law, which stipulates that private-sector pensions must directly match the minimum public-sector tier.

Social Security Enrollment Required for New KRG Pension Plan 

Mohammed stressed that registration for social security is an absolute prerequisite for workers to qualify for the updated pension plan.

“I urge all employers to ensure their workers are registered for social security, and I advise every worker to insist that their employer provides them with social security coverage,” she emphasized.

Regarding current registration statistics, Mohammed noted that more than 319,612 workers have been enrolled in the social security system to date. 

KRG Prepares for Baghdad ASYCUDA Talks 

The Minister also confirmed that during today's meeting, it was decided that a KRG delegation will hold talks with Iraqi authorities, including the federal Minister of Finance, to resolve the remaining outstanding issues between both sides regarding the ASYCUDA customs system.