August 9, 2015
Text of the first package of reforms presented by the Prime Minister, Dr. Haidar Al-Abadi and unanimously voted on by the Council of Ministers on August 9, and ratified by the Council of Representatives on August 11:
Subsequent to reliance on Allah and in response to the sincere calls of the supreme religious authority which has drawn clear outlines to activate the political and administrative reforms; In respect for the will of our dear people in meeting its legitimate demands; Confirming support to the armed and security forces and the popular mobilization with the contribution by the ministries and other parties to the war effort to achieve prompt victory on the Daesh gangs; and based on the public interest and according to Article 78 of the Constitution, we instruct adoption of the following reform measures:
First: The Administrative Reform Axis
- A comprehensive and immediate reduction in the number of security personnel provided for all senior officials including; the three presidential authorities, ministers, MPs, special graded posts, director generals, governors, members of the provincial councils and their corresponding officials. Security personnel surpluses will be moved to the defense and interior ministries to be trained and qualified to perform the national duties in defense of the homeland and protection of citizens; Continue to determine other benefits such as vehicles and housing in accordance with legitimate and fair standards.
- Canceling the posts of Vice President and the Deputy Prime Minister immediately.
- Disregarding partisan and sectarian quotas in determining the senior positions of the independent bodies as well as deputy ministers, advisers and director generals. A proficient committee to be appointed by the Prime Minister which will take advantage of national and international experience in this field will select candidates in the light of standards of competence and integrity and exempt the senior officials who lack such requirements.
- Curtailing ministerial staff and that of state organizations to increase efficiency in government performance and reduce costs.
- Subjugating the ministries and other entities not associated with a ministry to accountability through specially designed discipline programs. An evaluation committee on the performance of officials shall submit periodic reports to the Prime Minister.
- Terminating the advisory posts beyond the actual staff structure of the ministries while confining to five advisors for each presidential authority.
- Seek equality in wages through reform of the payroll system, and provision of a new payroll structure in a month.
- Withdrawing the special benefits allocated for each presidential authority, organizations, state institutions and the retired officials thereof, according to instructions to be developed by the Prime Minister that will take into account justice, professionalism and competence.
- Authorizing the Prime Minister the power to dismiss governors or heads of local councils and their members in the event of sub-standard performance, violation of the applicable laws or for instances of corruption.
Second: The Financial Reform Axis
- Reduce the pension upper limit for senior officials and submit a new draft in a week to address the previous wrong decisions.
- Repairing the State structure for expenditures and revenues through:
- Tackle tax evasion both in terms of collecting income tax and broadening the tax base, provided that the system would be an easy one that stakeholders could positively respond to. That system should be developed on adequate foundations to prevent corruption and reduce the burden on the freelancers.
- Application of fair customs tariff at all border crossing points, including the Kurdistan region outlets; taking advantage of the discreet international companies in this area to prevent corruption, promote national product; and prevent dumping on the Iraqi market.
Third: Economic Reform Axis
- Annulling all exemptions in the regulations of implementing government contracts except the current armament contracts in the Ministry of Defense, and authorizing the Prime Minister to grant emergency exemptions.
- Activating thoughtful strategies of work which are prepared by the state institutions, especially, the ones which include what have been achieved in cooperation with international organizations.
- The crisis unit undertakes making suitable decisions to activate investment and stimulate private sector through:
- Activating loans in order to stimulate economy in the country and get the unemployed people hired. These loans include the ones ratified by the unit in the industrial, agricultural, and housing sectors which amounts 5 trillion dinars, besides the loans specified for supporting small businesses which amounts trillion dinars. The committee designated to set these mechanisms should submit its recommendations before the end of the week.
- Activating the decision of the Council of Ministers and the crisis unit regarding paying the dues to the private sector companies publicly and fairly in order to facilitate their work and create new job opportunities.
- Implementing the deferred payment program which is to be prepared by the Ministry of Planning in cooperation with the Ministry of Finance within a week. The program, then, is to be submitted to the crisis unit for ratification in order to provide services for citizens.
Fourth: Services Axis
- Preparing a package of procedures to end the problems of electricity in the fields of production, transportation, distribution, and collection. This package should be conducted within two weeks.
- Adopting an active social monitoring program to uncover retreat and failure of providing services and holding the inefficient officials accountable. This requires activating a fee collection system for providing services in an efficient way whether on the ministerial or local government levels.
Fifth: Fighting Corruption Axis
- Activating the role of the council on fighting corruption which is to be chaired by the Prime Minister, and launching the campaign of "where did you get this from?", in addition to other councils and cooperating with the judiciary system.
- Activating the role of the monitoring institutions, uncovering corrupt individuals, and setting standards for evaluating the monitoring institutions. This necessitates the activation of the National Commission on Integrity, and reviewing the Inspectors General Offices with a focus on the basic duties of the latter offices including a reduction in their staff to enhance effectiveness.
- Opening previous and current corruption cases under the supervision of the supreme committee on fighting corruption which is to include a number of specialized judges who are well known for their ultimate integrity in order to try corrupt individuals, and setting a timetable to end cases of corruption publicly and according to law.
The decisions and directions we are launching today are the first package on the way of reform and fighting corruption which we aspire for. After this package is ratified, we will take the necessary procedures to implement it.
May Allah Grant Success.
Dr. Haider Al-Abadi
Prime Minister
9-8-2015
http://pmo.iq/pme/press2015en/9-8-20152en.htm