Latest news with #Al-Asadi
Iraq Business
2 days ago
- Business
- Iraq Business
Iraq offers support for Lebanese Investors and Workers
By John Lee. Iraq's Minister of Labour and Social Affairs, Mr Ahmed Al-Asadi, has confirmed his country's readiness to provide all possible facilitation for Lebanese workers in Iraq, provided that they comply with legal procedures designed to ensure their rights and protection. The remarks were made during a meeting with Lebanon's Minister of Labour, Dr Mohammad Bahjat Haidar, on the sidelines of the 113th session of the International Labour Conference in Geneva. The two ministers discussed ways to enhance bilateral cooperation, particularly in investment and encouraging Lebanese business owners to return to invest in Lebanon. Mr Al-Asadi acknowledged the impact of Lebanon's economic crisis on capital flows, especially in light of past failures in the banking sector. However, he affirmed Iraq's commitment to supporting Lebanon's economic recovery by encouraging Iraqi investors to explore opportunities there. He described investment as fundamental to national development, noting that Iraq has seen significant investment-driven growth over the past two to three years. On the subject of foreign and Arab workers in Iraq, Al-Asadi highlighted concerns about the large number of workers entering the country illegally. He stated that Iraq's Council of Ministers has issued a decision to regularise the status of such workers, enabling them to obtain residency and register with the Ministry of Labour. This step ensures their eligibility for legal wages, social security registration, and broader labour rights. The Minister reiterated Iraq's openness to Lebanese labour, stressing the importance of legal registration as a guarantee for protection and rights. (Source: Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs)
Shafaq News
04-06-2025
- Business
- Shafaq News
Iraq backs worker rights at global labor summit
Shafaq News/ Iraq's Minister of Labor and Social Affairs, Ahmed al-Asadi, met with his Turkish counterpart, Vedat Isıkhan on Tuesday in Geneva during the 113th session of the . The meeting, held at the United Nations headquarters, was part of Iraq's broader efforts to strengthen its labor legislation in line with international standards. Al-Asadi led Iraq's tripartite delegation, which included representatives of government, employers, and workers. During the conference, the Iraqi delegation participated in discussions on global labor issues such as biological risk protection, regulating digital platform work, and integrating the informal economy. Al-Asadi stressed Iraq's commitment to updating national labor laws to meet international conventions, with a focus on occupational health, social protection, and workers' rights. He also confirmed Iraq's plans to submit outstanding reports on core labor conventions by September, covering areas such as forced labor, child labor, workplace safety, and maritime labor protections. 113. Uluslararası Çalışma Konferansı kapsamında Irak Çalışma ve Sosyal İşler Bakanı Sayın Ahmed Jassem Saber Al-Asadi ile gerçekleştirdiğimiz ikili görüşmede, iki ülke arasında istihdam ve sosyal güvenlik alanlarında iş birliğini kurumsallaştırmayı sağlayacak adımları… — Prof. Dr. Vedat Işıkhan (@isikhanvedat) June 3, 2025
Iraqi News
19-05-2025
- Business
- Iraqi News
Iraq plans to begin Baghdad Metro project in 2025
Baghdad ( – Iraqi Prime Minister's advisor Mohammed Al-Najjar revealed on Monday that Iraq plans to start the first phase of the Baghdad Metro project before the end of 2025. In a statement to the Iraqi News Agency (INA), Al-Najjar explained that the project involves years of development and will be implemented in phases. In November 2024, Iraqi Prime Minister's Advisor Naser Al-Asadi revealed that the pathway design of the Baghdad Metro has been completed. Al-Asadi said that the government consulting agency has begun drafting the project's specifications for the tracks, trains, and stations, which will contain subterranean, surface, and elevated parts. With seven lines that range in length from nine to 37 kilometers, the project will cover the majority of the Iraqi capital and could be upgraded to reach other areas, according to Al-Asadi. The Iraqi cabinet announced in late July that the businesses selected to design, build, and run the Baghdad Metro project include France-based Systra and SNCV, the Spanish Alstom, Talgo, and Sener enterprises, Turkish construction companies, and Germany's Deutsche Bank. Al-Asadi told Reuters earlier that Baghdad Metro would span 148 kilometers (92 miles) with seven lines and 64 metro stops. The $18 billion-worth project should be finished after four years, according to Al-Asadi. A large percentage of Baghdad commuters rely on taxis and buses for transportation, and because of high traffic, basic trips can take hours to reach their destinations, according to Reuters. Baghdad Metro, which had been initially proposed in the 1980s, was abandoned due to years of violence and international sanctions. Once finished, it will be the first of its sort in Iraq. Earlier in July, the Mayoralty of Baghdad inked a $315.9 million deal with Malaysia's HSS Engineering Berhad (HEB) to offer consultancy services for Baghdad Metro. The Malaysian company will oversee project management, provide consulting services, and monitor the progress under this contract. The Baghdad Metro is a significant initiative designed to alleviate traffic congestion and offer a modern, efficient transportation system in Iraq's capital, home to approximately eight million residents.
Shafaq News
01-05-2025
- Business
- Shafaq News
Labor Day: Iraq to launch crackdown on illegal foreign workers
Shafaq News/ Iraq will launch a major inspection campaign targeting thousands of illegal foreign workers, Labor Minister Ahmed Al-Asadi revealed on Thursday. Marking International Labor Day, Al-Asadi expressed his ministry's commitment to defending workers' rights and improving living standards, warning that tens of thousands—possibly hundreds of thousands—of undocumented foreign workers are active across Iraq. 'We'll begin a large-scale crackdown in coordination with relevant agencies and labor unions,' he told Shafaq News. Illegal Labor In Iraq The influx of undocumented foreign labor from countries like India, Bangladesh, Syria, and Pakistan has raised concerns about its impact on Iraq's economy. According to the Strategic Center for Human Rights, approximately one million illegal migrant workers are in Iraq, with only 43,000 registered with the Ministry of Labor as of 2024. These unregistered workers are estimated to remit $4.2 billion annually, significantly affecting the national economy. A 2025 report by Shafaq News highlighted that foreign labor is expanding rapidly in various sectors, including restaurants, cafes, cleaning services, and even state institutions. This surge has deepened the unemployment crisis, leaving 15 million local workers struggling to secure opportunities. In response, Iraq is stepping up efforts to tackle the issue, with authorities currently reviewing the records of all foreign workers. In 2024, 32,000 undocumented laborers were deported. Additionally, nearly 700 foreign nationals were arrested for violating the Foreigner Residence Law No. 76 of 2017 after their grace period expired. The Interior Ministry has urged companies, professionals, craftsmen, tradespeople, restaurant owners, and anyone housing undocumented foreigners to ensure their deportation. Experts, however, warn that these efforts have been insufficient, criticizing the government's failure to implement investment conditions requiring foreign companies to employ 50% local labor in their projects.
Iraqi News
04-04-2025
- Business
- Iraqi News
Government Advisor: The private firm managing the development road project is entirely Iraqi
Nasser Al-Asadi, the Prime Minister's Advisor for Transportation Affairs, explained on Friday the duties of the company managing the Development Road Project, stressing that this company will be 100% Iraqi and report directly to the Prime Minister. Al-Asadi told the Iraqi News Agency (INA): "At the meeting of the Higher Committee for the Development Road, a study was conducted to establish a company, authority, or any legal formula for the Development Road Project, considering it a global project." He noted that "several possibilities were studied by the consultant and members of the Advisory Committee, and the conclusion was reached that there will be a private company to manage the project. It will be 100% Iraqi and will be responsible for all financial, engineering, economic, and investment aspects." He added, "This company will be established under the Companies Law and will manage the project. It will not be affiliated with the Ministry of Transport. Rather, it will be an independent private company reporting directly to the Prime Minister. It will have its own laws and regulations and will be responsible for existing investments. If the project is offered as shares, this company will be responsible for the shares."
