\n 2026-08-03T05:48:42+00:00<\/p>\n
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Shafaq News- Diyala<\/p>\n
Thousands of government employees and retirees in Iraq\u2019s
\nDiyala province are waiting for delayed salary payments, forcing families to
\npostpone purchases, rely on credit and reduce daily spending as uncertainty
\nover payment schedules spreads across local markets.<\/p>\n
The delay is already visible in Baqubah, the provincial
\ncapital, where commercial activity rises after salaries are released and slows
\nwhen payments are postponed. Shop owners closely monitor customer movement, as
\npublic-sector wages remain one of the main drivers of local spending.<\/p>\n
For government employee Qaisar al-Azzawi, the delay has
\nturned the end of the month into a constant calculation of which obligations
\ncan be postponed and which cannot, telling Shafaq News, “Reorganizing
\nfamily obligations has become a reality after salary delays turned into an
\nadditional burden. The salary itself is no longer enough to cover what
\naccumulates during the waiting period amid rising living costs.”<\/p>\n
The uncertainty surrounding payment dates has become a major
\nconcern for employees because families cannot plan their expenses without
\nknowing when their income will arrive. “Every additional day means a new
\ndebt or a postponed need, while landlords, banks and service providers continue
\nto demand their payments,” he added.<\/p>\n
Among retirees, concerns are also growing that repeated
\ndelays could leave families with little room to adjust. Retired police officer
\nHadi al-Abadi noted that many households have already reduced non-essential
\nspending.<\/p>\n
“A delay once can be managed, but if it happens
\nrepeatedly in the coming months, there will be nothing left to cut.”<\/p>\n
Read more: 2026 budget: Iraq confronts unprecedented fiscal strain<\/a><\/p>\n Across Diyala, families have begun changing how they manage Teacher Ali al-Rubaie described how the pressure has changed “They only see that their classmates have things their The slowdown has quickly moved from homes into markets. At a He pointed to the difference between periods of delayed The same pattern is affecting businesses selling goods that “Most people prioritize food, rent and services before
\nmonthly expenses. Instead of buying household supplies in one trip, some are
\npurchasing smaller quantities and delaying purchases that are not considered
\nessential.<\/p>\n
\ndaily shopping habits for his family and others around him. “My family and
\nmany families I know have stopped buying their needs for the entire month and
\nnow purchase food in smaller quantities that last only two or three days,”
\nal-Rubaie told Shafaq News, cautioning that children do not understand what a
\nliquidity crisis or delayed salary means. <\/p>\n
\nfamilies cannot buy for them,” he added.<\/p>\n
\ngrocery store in central Baqubah, owner Ali al-Qaisi has noticed fewer
\ncustomers buying larger quantities and more people requesting credit.<\/p>\n
\npayments and salary release days, explaining, “When salaries arrive,
\ncustomers return to repay debts and buy their household needs. When payments
\nare delayed, sales decline and debt records increase.”<\/p>\n
\nfamilies can postpone, including clothing, household appliances and mobile
\nphones. At a home appliance store, employee Mortada Hussein observed that
\ncustomers are focusing more heavily on essential expenses before considering
\nlarger purchases.<\/p>\n
\nthinking about buying appliances or other goods,” Hussein told Shafaq
\nNews, pointing out that some regular customers who previously bought household
\nitems have disappeared for months.<\/p>\n