The Kurdistan Regional Government decided in its recent meeting to reduce employees' salaries by 21-50% to compensate for the budget deficit. The decision, however, drew a lot of reactions, Radio Nawa news website reported.
Following the announcement, the PUK's political office supported the decision to reduce salaries after an urgent meeting to discuss the KRG's decision to reduce 21% of the salaries of workers and employees, saying it backs the decision.
After the PUK political office announcement, Lahore Sheikh Jangari, the party's joint chief, issued a message on his personal page on the social network Twitter, opposing the government's decision to reduce employee salaries.
If the Kurdistan Regional Government cannot agree with Baghdad and is not transparent about the incomes and expenses of the region, the PUK will not be subject to a salary cut.
"Boycotting the parliament meetings and the government and holding early elections will be one of our options," Sheikh Jangi said
At the same time, the KRG delegation in its meeting on Monday this week announced that the government is experiencing a severe budget deficit because of its lack of funding from the central Iraqi government and the effects of the economic crisis and the prevalence of decreasing oil price.
The KRG further announced that the decision to reduce the salaries paid to the employees will reduce by 21 percent, while the remaining 79 percent will be paid in fair terms. High-level officials and individuals would be hit by 50% decrease.
Reporter's code: 50101