ERBIL, Kurdistan Region — The PUK, KDP blocs in the Kurdistan Region's parliament have requested to return a section of the reform bill that stipulates MP pensions and "special ranks."
Speaking at a press conference at parliament in Erbil, the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), and other factions including Turkmen and Christian factions called on Sunday for the return of Article 3 to the legislative body.
"As nine parliament blocs who endorsed the bill are lifting a petition to the Kurdistan parliament to listen to the demands of the public opinion and our people," said Omed Khoshnaw, the head of the KDP bloc speaking on behalf of his and other factions, "we are making the people of Kurdistan sure today that a just decision will be made on how to deal with this matter."
The parliament passed a reform bill on February 21 that introduces reforms to the salaries of public employees and pensioners, including cleaning the list of beneficiaries, preventing duplicate benefits and double-salary holders, and institutionalizing the pension program.
"Our petition calls for Article 3 designed for the pensioning of the MPs and special ranks, to be returned to the parliament once again in order for more serious discussions held on it and for the points of views of the people of Kurdistan taken into consideration," Khoshnaw added in his statement.
Parliament's Deputy Speaker also weighed in.
"Given the authorities we carry and in light of the disagreements of the people of Kurdistan and the call from blocs, we rejected and returned the Article 3 of the reform law to the Kurdistan parliament for a revision," said Jaafar Iminiki, a KDP member.
Article 3, addressing high-ranking pensioners, termed "special ranks," drew the most opposition.
“Special ranks” includes retired ministers, deputy ministers, consultants, general directors, and some Peshmerga who were awarded the position in return for their service to the Kurdish Freedom Movement before the formation of the KRG.
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