Latest news with #LaborLawNo.37
Shafaq News
01-05-2025
- Business
- Shafaq News
On Workers' Day: Iraqi PM vows support for labor unions
Shafaq News/ Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani met, on Thursday, with representatives of Iraq's labor unions to mark International Workers' Day, emphasizing the essential role of the workforce and unions in advancing the country's development agenda. According to statement by the PM's office, al-Sudani underscored the importance of establishing a lawful and secure work environment as a foundation for growth across key sectors such as industry, tourism, and healthcare, calling on employers to fully comply with labor laws and uphold essential social protections. A skilled and safeguarded workforce is essential to boosting national productivity, he affirmed, adding, 'Labor unions are a key pillar in successfully mobilizing the private sector to generate employment and secure production.' Al-Sudani also highlighted recent legislative milestones, including the Labor Law No. 37 of 2015 and the Workers' Retirement and Social Security Law No. 18 of 2023, which he described as cornerstones for advancing labor rights and improving workplace standards. 'We are working toward full inclusion, and inspection committees must fulfill their responsibilities,' he noted, acknowledging that a significant number of workers remain outside the social security system. The PM cited expansion in key sectors—including pharmaceuticals, food processing, defense, and fertilizers—as examples of successful public-private collaboration, reiterating his administration's commitment to empowering unions as active partners in shaping national policy.
Iraqi News
19-04-2025
- Health
- Iraqi News
Four Iraqis for Every Foreigner: Ministry of Labor Sets New Mechanism for Recruiting Foreign Workers in Medical Specialties
Baghdad – INA The Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs announced a new mechanism on Saturday for the recruitment of foreign workers in medical specialties, emphasizing a requirement that for every 20 foreign workers brought in, 80 Iraqis must be employed. Ministry spokesperson Hassan Khuwam told the Iraqi News Agency (INA): 'The Department of Labor and Vocational Training is focused on implementing the provisions of Labor Law No. 37 of 2015.' He noted that 'during a meeting between the Prime Minister's health advisor and the Director General of the Department of Labor and Vocational Training, the ministry requested that rare medical specialties, including skilled nurses with rare expertise, be prioritized for recruitment.' He added that 'the ministry also requested the implementation of a policy whereby for every 20 foreign workers brought into the country, 80 Iraqis must be employed. This aims to activate the Iraqi workforce and combat unemployment by creating job opportunities for young unemployed citizens.' He further pointed out that 'one of the key pillars of the government's program is to provide employment opportunities and eliminate unemployment.'
Shafaq News
11-02-2025
- Shafaq News
15 Afghans detained at Iraq checkpoint
Shafaq News/ Iraqi security forces intercepted a truck carrying Afghan nationals after it bypassed multiple checkpoints at the northern entrance of Khanaqin city in Diyala province, a security source reported on Tuesday. 'Security forces arrested the driver and detained the 15 Afghan nationals onboard,' the source told Shafaq News. 'Authorities have launched an investigation to determine the circumstances of the incident and the driver's motive for evading security checks.' The interception comes amid heightened scrutiny of foreign workers in Iraq. On January 21, security forces in Basra arrested 13 foreign workers employed at an investment oil company for violating residency regulations. In 2024 alone, authorities arrested more than 4,600 foreign nationals for non-compliance with Residency Law No. 76 of 2017 and Labor Law No. 37 of 2015. Despite hosting approximately one million foreign workers, only 71,000 hold valid work permits.
