Basra: A member of the Basra Provincial Council has called on the Ministry of Finance to expedite the disbursement of financial entitlements for 13,000 contract employees. Zahraa al-Salmi, a representative of the council, highlighted the pressing needs of these workers, stating that their demands should not be sidelined due to bureaucratic delays.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, al-Salmi expressed concern over the Ministry of Finance’s use of unclear justifications for the delay in payments. She stressed the importance of a unified response and intervention from all stakeholders to resolve this issue. Al-Salmi noted that the local government has already addressed all administrative and legal requirements for the contract employees, suggesting that the onus now lies with the Ministry of Finance to complete the process.

Al-Salmi further questioned the rationale behind the federal government’s creation of job positions without ensuring financial allocations, leaving contract employees in uncertainty. She emphasized the unacceptable nature of the ongoing negligence, especially with local residents having gone months without receiving their due payments.