Iraqi activists look to abolish MPs pensions

Iraqi activists launched a campaign on social-networking sites to support abolishing pensions for retired MPs. The campaign’s Facebook page has garnered more than 7,000 followers so far. One activist, Hamid Jahihej, said: “The campaign to cancel pensions for MPs will be present in the streets.” Writing on the campaign’s page, he added; “I’ll voice my demand and that of the Iraqi citizens in Liberation Square. I will express my right to protect Iraq’s public money.” He continued: “I hope that every citizen takes to the nearest streets and takes advantage of his or her freedoms. Our beloved country will not be able to get back on its feet if we do not carry it on our shoulders.” He concluded by exhorting his countrymen to try “to be citizens for once and demand your rights.” Iraqi MP Abdul Hussein Abtan said: “The draft law to abolish pensions for retired MPs, ministers and high-ranking appointed officials is a popular and ethical demand. In fact, it achieves social justice.” Nevertheless, he said: “This draft law should be submitted by the government or the prime minister, or else it cannot be enacted.” Abtan continued: “I think that parliament, and as MPs, we are ready to enact this law if it is submitted by the Council of Ministers.” Some political blocs in Iraq believe that the demand to abolish retirement pensions for former MPs is a ploy by one political party to restore its popularity after losing in the recent local elections. Iraqi MP Hanan al-Fatlawi, a member of Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki’s State of Law Coalition, announced on June 18 that she and 10 other MPs submitted to the Iraqi Council of Representatives a draft law to abolish pensions for MPs and members of the provincial and municipal councils. She noted that another draft law will be submitted to reduce the salaries of high-ranking appointed officials. There are no reliable numbers available on the money consumed annually by what is likely thousands of retirees — including former MPs, ministers, heads of districts and subdistricts and general directors. Yet the amount is estimated at nearly 100 billion Iraqi dinars ($80 million) per year.