The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) held its regular weekly cabinet meeting yesterday, chaired by Prime Minister Masrour Barzani and attended by Deputy Prime Minister Qubad Talabani. The meeting covered a wide range of issues, with a particular focus on employment for contract employees, top university graduates, and preparations for the upcoming national census.

Prime Minister Barzani began the session by commemorating the anniversary of the Kurdistan independence referendum, describing it as a significant democratic process. He extended his congratulations to the people of Kurdistan on this occasion. With election campaigns for the Kurdistan Parliament underway, Barzani urged for peaceful and respectful campaigns in line with regulations, expressing his hope that the elections would further the constitutional rights and achievements of the Kurdistan Region.

Focus on Employment for Contract Workers and Graduates
The first major topic of discussion was employment for contract workers, top university graduates, and those with postgraduate degrees. Siraj Barzani, the head of the General Public Service Council, and Amanj Rahim, Secretary of the Council of Ministers, presented detailed data on these groups. They highlighted the crucial role contract workers play in public institutions, many of whom have held administrative positions for years. Both officials acknowledged the workers' demands for permanent employment and emphasized that they are fully registered in the biometric system with assigned employee numbers.

The discussion also touched on the employment of the top three graduates from universities and institutes, as well as postgraduate degree holders who are not yet employed in the public sector. It was noted that their counterparts in the federal government receive employment opportunities under specific laws, and it was proposed that the same frameworks should apply to graduates in the Kurdistan Region. The cabinet emphasized that financial allocations and job opportunities for these groups should be included in the region’s staffing plan for 2025, ensuring equality between the Kurdistan Region and Baghdad.

Following deliberations, the cabinet agreed in principle to grant contract workers permanent positions, following the same procedures as the federal government. The Ministry of Finance and Economy, along with the General Public Service Council, was instructed to coordinate with the federal government to implement this decision within the existing budget for contract workers’ salaries.

The second key item on the agenda was the upcoming national census, scheduled for November 20, 2024. Minister of Planning Dara Rashid and Fahmi Burhan, head of the Kurdistan Areas outside the Regional Administration, presented updates on the preparations for the census. They expressed concerns over the political implications of the process but emphasized the KRG’s support for the census, provided it is not used as a substitute for the implementation of Article 140 of the Iraqi constitution, which addresses the disputed territories.

The cabinet directed the Ministry of Planning and the General Authority for the Kurdistan Areas to convey these concerns and recommendations to the federal government.

The meeting concluded with a strong emphasis on coordination between the Kurdistan Regional Government and Baghdad, particularly regarding employment, financial entitlements, and the census. As relations between the two governments continue to evolve, the KRG reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring fairness and equality for all citizens across the region and Iraq.