Public Holidays in Iraq: An Economic Burden
Baghdad is currently engulfed in a heated debate regarding the official holidays law, which has transformed from a political and sectarian issue into a significant economic concern. Recent statistics reveal that these holidays impose an annual cost of approximately 34 trillion dinars ($26 billion) on the Iraqi economy, as highlighted by economic expert Nabil Al-Marsoumi.
The total annual salaries of employees in Iraq reach about 90 trillion dinars ($69 billion), and when factoring in the numerous holidays, the financial implications become alarming. With 104 weekends and an additional 36 official and unofficial holidays, Iraqians find themselves with a staggering total of 140 holidays each year.
The Iraqi Parliament has been grappling with this issue for over 16 years, yet solutions remain elusive. Each ethnic and religious group within Iraq is vying for recognition of their own holidays, complicating the legislative process. For instance, the Christian community is advocating for 7 additional holidays, while the Yazidi community is pushing for 15 days dedicated to their observances.
Economic expert Abdul Salam Hussein emphasizes that the actual number of holidays, when considering ethnic and sectarian occasions, exceeds 170 days, costing the state treasury over 52 trillion dinars ($40 billion) annually. This financial strain poses a serious threat to the national economy, necessitating a reevaluation of the official holidays law despite the political and sectarian hurdles that impede progress.
To mitigate costs, Hussein suggests replacing Saturday with Thursday as a working day to alleviate some of the financial burden on the state. He also points out inefficiencies in the workforce, where individuals who are well past retirement age continue to hold positions, further complicating the economic landscape.
Economic advisor Alaa Al-Fahd downplays the significance of the number of holidays, arguing that the real issue lies in the low productivity of employees. He advocates for a comprehensive approach to increase productivity through e-governance and better management of working hours. Al-Fahd states that holidays are commonplace in many countries, and with the right systems in place, they can coexist with high productivity levels.
In conclusion, Iraq's ongoing debate over public holidays reflects a broader struggle between economic sustainability and cultural recognition. As the country navigates these complex issues, it remains to be seen how lawmakers will balance the demands of various communities with the pressing need for economic reform.
