Legal Proceedings Suspended against Iraqis Who Left the Country Illegally

Baghdad, June 29, 1999

The Revolution Command Council (RCC) has decided that all legal proceedings against Iraqis who left the country illegally or who travelled on official duty and did not return, be stopped.

The pardon, granted under RCC decision no. 110 of June 28, 1999, also covers offenses of forging official documents to flee the country and manipulation of duty, committed before this decision has come in force.

Under the RCC decree, those who are already serving prison sentences shall be pardoned and released, unless they have been convicted of other crimes.

Iraqi Central Bank Allows Foreign Currency Circulation

Baghdad, Aug 7, 1999

The Iraqi Central Bank has allowed Iraqis and non-Iraqis to own, circulate and open bank accounts at authorized banks in foreign currency.

An official bank source told INA that the minimum amount for opening a current account should be $500, with no interest rate, for saving account $1000, with 2,5% interest rate, and for fixed deposit account $2000 with 3% interest rate for 6-month deposits and 4% for one-year deposits.

The source added that holder of the account would be able to use his deposited funds to pay his commitments inside Iraq. As for the current account holder, the source said, he would be provided with a foreign currency checkbook. Non-resident account holder, meanwhile, can take foreign currency with the bank interest out of Iraq in case of settlement of the account for the funds he brought into Iraq under official documents, he noted.

Iraqi Expatriates Face No Residence Restrictions at Home

Baghdad, July 15, 1999

Head of the Expatriates Department at the Iraqi Foreign Ministry Qusai Mehdi Saleh has said Iraqi expatriates can stay in the country as long as they wish without advising the Residence Department, which defines how long a foreigner can stay inside the country.

Saleh said his Department offered facilities to Iraqi expatriates upon entering the country. For instance, expatriates can pay for their stay at first-class hotels in local currency, he added.

The Foreign Ministry official pointed out that the Department sought to strengthen expatriates' links with their motherland, Iraq, and to benefit from their expertise during their presence through symposiums and lectures on their respective specializations.

RCC Allows Possession and Circulation of Foreign Currency

Baghdad, June 27, 1999

The Revolution Command Council (RCC) has allowed resident and non-resident Iraqis and non-Iraqis to possess and circulate foreign currency accepted by the Iraqi Central Bank, including the opening of current or saving accounts or deposits at Iraqi Banks in return for interest paid in the same currency deposited.

Under RCC Decision No. 98 of June 22,1999, money deposited to pay back commitments inside Iraq can be used and withdrawn with the due interest in accordance with official documents in case of settlement of account.

President Saddam Hussein Pardons Teaching Staff who Left Iraq Illegally

Baghdad, June 21, 1999

President Saddam Hussein has pardoned all members of the teaching staff who have left Iraq illegally, and ordered that any legal proceedings due to be taken against them after their return, be called off.

In a statement to INA, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research Abdul Jabbar Tawfeeq said the Ministry had taken the necessary measures to put President Hussein's orders into effect.

Minister Tawfeeq pointed out that his Ministry would work to reinstate the staff members covered by the pardon in their respective universities and scientific institutions, and to ensure that they would enjoy all rights and privileges enshrined in relevant laws and regulations.

Non-Resident Iraqis Can Withdraw ID 1 Million A Month

Baghdad, May 12, 1999

The Iraqi Central Bank has approved measures under which non-resident Iraqis can directly or through agent withdraw as much as ID 1 million a month, provided that the money withdrawn by the agent be used to cover the expenses of the family the account holder legally supports.

RCC Amends Labour Act

Baghdad, April 2, 2000

The Revolution Command Council (RCC) has issued the 2^nd amendment law No. 17 for the year 2000 whereby Labour Act No 71 for 1987 has been modified.

The law has been promulgated to square the provisions of Labour Act No. 71 for 1987 with the terms of Arab and international labour agreements approved by Iraq. It has also extended up to 30 days the period given to employers to notify the competent Labour and Social Security Department of a new Arab employee, as of the date of employment.

Under the new law, a committee shall be formed upon a decision by the Labour and Social Affairs Minister to fix the minimum wages, provided that they be reviewed annually.

The law deems it impermissible to increase working hours beyond 300 hours a year. Should work be suspended partially or fully in the event of contingency or force majeur, the employer should pay the employee for a suspension period of no more than 60 days. He (the employer) should allow the worker to enjoy his annual leave, as stated in this law, all at once or at different times, should work interest demand. If the employee has proved to be denied such leave within the working year, he shall be paid for the leave period, plus an equal amount of payment in compensation.