Al-Zaydi: I will not receive a salary and I will not accept a gift… and the employees’ salaries are guaranteed.
Prime Minister Ali Al-Zidi confirmed on Monday that the salaries of state employees are secure and regular, while renewing his pledge not to receive a salary or accept any gift, and announced proceeding with the establishment of an energy and development fund.
Al-Zaydi said in a press statement followed by Al-Furat News that “the salaries of state employees are secured and regular, and we are very keen on this point,” indicating that “the size of the debt at the beginning of the government’s work amounted to about 208 trillion dinars, while the budget depends on oil by 93%, compared to 7% non-oil revenues.”
He added: “I will not receive a salary, nor will I accept a gift, even if it is a necktie, and my hands will not touch public money,” stressing that “the government will direct the Minister of Finance to open a special account to recover Iraq’s money from those who were involved with it, and we will take a different stance with anyone who refuses to return it.”
He pointed out that “the National Sovereignty Conference will be announced at the end of this year, and will enshrine the monopoly of power in the hands of the state and its agencies only,” noting that “the government will not run for another term and will not establish a political party, nor will it allow any dictates from outside the borders, neither from the East nor from the West.”
Al-Zaidi explained that “his next visits after Washington will be to Türkiye, Iran and Saudi Arabia, in addition to receiving invitations to visit France, Britain and Germany.”
On the economic front, Al-Zaydi announced the establishment of the “Energy and Development Fund” with contributions from the Central Bank of Iraq, which will be offered for public subscription. He indicated that the government will extend an invitation to Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar, in addition to American and European banks, to contribute to the fund, which will focus on financing development, industry, agriculture, and other sectors.
Alforatnews.iq