In a weekly meeting held on December 6, 2023, the Council of Ministers of the Kurdistan Regional Government voiced concerns over the delay in salary disbursement by the federal government and called for urgent action. Prime Minister Masrour Barzani led the meeting, where the government officials discussed various issues, including the ongoing negotiations with the federal government.

The Prime Minister welcomed the return of Peshmerga Minister Shorsh Ismail to the Cabinet and provided an overview of the Kurdistan Region delegation's participation in the World Climate Summit in Dubai. The meeting primarily focused on the status of the budget allocation and salary payments for the Kurdistan Region.

The Region's negotiating delegation reported on recent talks in Baghdad, highlighting the federal government's insistence on disbursing salary allocations without considering actual expenditures and political disputes. The delegation argued that the federal government's actions amounted to a clear violation of the constitutional rights of Kurdistan citizens.

The Council of Ministers urged the federal government to promptly draft an amendment to the federal budget law to ensure the timely payment of Region salaries, emphasizing the need for political parties within the federal government to support the budget amendment bill.

On a different note, the meeting addressed the issue of violence against women. The Deputy Prime Minister presented a report outlining the causes and suggested strategies to combat such violence. The Council called for collaboration among relevant ministries and entities to implement a comprehensive strategy against violence towards women and families.

Prime Minister Barzani stressed the importance of protecting women's rights in the Kurdistan Region, calling for necessary measures to punish perpetrators of violence. Government institutions were directed to launch a widespread awareness campaign to eliminate violence against women.

In conclusion, the Council of Ministers approved a proposal to exempt and reduce 15% of debts incurred by water services subscribers for a 90-day period. The decision will be published in the official gazette, with further details to be provided by the Ministry of Municipalities and Tourism.

The Kurdistan Regional Government continues to navigate challenging negotiations with the federal government while actively addressing pressing issues, including salary disbursement and women's rights, to ensure the well-being and prosperity of its citizens.