Iraqis face new threat from leaders' job cuts

[UpInArms]

http://www.thestandard.com.hk/stdn/std/World/GF07Wd02.html

Iraqis, who are already dealing with food shortages, daily power blackouts and a deadly insurgency, have received another dose of bad news - their newly elected leaders may slash budgets and government jobs.

Many fear the move could cause impoverished Iraqis to sympathize with rebel forces. The Iraqi government said it deployed 40,000 troops in the capital recently to capture militants, who killed more than 800 people in the past month in a wave of suicide bombings and other attacks.

In addition to the insurgency, the Iraqi government said it must also grapple with a bloated bureaucracy. Government spokesman Laith Kubba said government ministries are overstaffed and a new government agency could soon try to cut budgets and government subsidies.

``Many government ministries can carry out their duties with only about 40-60 percent of employees,'' said Kubba, a spokesman for Prime Minister Ibrahim Jafari. ``There are many senior employees receiving high salaries who do not have a great deal to do.''

Up to half of Iraq's 6.5 million-strong workforce is employed by the state, thanks in part to ousted Saddam Hussein, who increased the public payroll to mask unemployment and shore up a faltering economy.

...more...

[cthrumatrix]

1. "democracy can be untidy" says Rummy....

[UpInArms]

2. and before all this "untidy democracy" they were employed

and had one of the most sophisticated food distribution programs that prevented hunger among their citizens.

[Karmageddon]

3. First bush gave them "democracy," now he's showing them his economic plan.

[UpInArms]

4. Welcome to DU Karmageddon!

:hi: