A greater amount from the budget is needed than allocated for salary payments even with the austerity measures remain in place, said Barzani during his weekly press conference.

In February 2016, KRG announced they would cut government employee salaries by 15 to 75 percent, depending on position and salary bracket , as part of austerity measures to deal with the ongoing economic crisis.

“The bill of the Iraqi budget was approved without providing Kurdistan’s real part,” he added.

According to NRT Barzani further urged the Iraqi President Fuad Masoum to take a stance in opposition of the budget bill for 2018.

Iraqi Parliament members on Saturday, March 3, voted overwhelmingly in favor of the country’s budget bill for 2018.

The budget bill was approved during a session boycotted by the Kurdish factions to protest against a cut in the amount allocated to their autonomous region.

The reduction comes after a controversial independence reference by the Kurds last year sparked a furious dispute with the central government.

Iraq's parliament adopted an $88.5 billion budget for 2018.

Reporter’s code: 50101