Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2022, published 111st ILC session (2023)

Employment Policy Convention, 1964 (No. 122) - Iraq (Ratification: 1970)

Articles 1 and 2 of the Convention. Implementation of an active employment policy. Coordinating employment policy with poverty reduction strategies. The Committee notes the information provided by the Government in relation to cases or lawsuits brought by workers against employers with respect to the application of the provisions of the Convention. The Government also refers to the development of a hotline and an online complaints mechanism to enable workers to report violations of the labour legislation and file complaints. In respect of job creation and poverty reduction, the Government indicates that pursuant to section 6 of Labour Law No. 37 (2015), the State is required to adopt policies to promote full and productive employment. To this end, a High Committee for Planning and Employment of the Labour Force (the High Committee) was established on 15 August 2021, pursuant to Ministerial Order No. 1640 and in accordance with Instruction No. 11 of 2017. The High Committee is responsible for planning, formulation, implementation and follow-up in relation to the employment policy and vocational training programmes (section 17 I of the Labour Law). The Committee notes that the High Committee is currently developing a new national employment policy, which aims to ensure the integration of young adults into the labour market by providing them with training in skills which are in high demand. In respect of employment promotion, the Government indicates that the activities of the Employment Office are regulated under section 19 of the Labour Law which specifies that the employer is bound to inform the regional employment office of vacancies available and submit a request within 10 days to the Employment Office specifying the type of work offered and the qualifications required. The Employment Office may propose suitable candidates from the pool of registered jobseekers within 15 days, after which time the employer may proceed to hire a worker directly (section 21 of the Labour Law). The Committee notes with interest that the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs and the ILO have signed the first Decent Work Country Programme (DWCP 2019-2023) for Iraq. The DWCP focuses on strengthening the country’s capacity to include the principles of decent work in its socio-economic policies aimed at achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), as well as creating job opportunities in the private sector, combating the worst forms of child labour, improving governance and mechanisms for social dialogue. The Government indicates that the signature of the DWCP 2019-2023, together with the measures taken by the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs, through its relevant offices, to implement the national employment policy and the poverty reduction strategy will contribute to the social and economic development of Iraq by furthering the application of international labour standards and national labour legislation, as well as promoting social dialogue, social justice and decent work. The Government is further requested to provide information on the progress made in the development of the new national employment policy and on the manner in which consultation with the social partners and their participation in this process is ensured.

Employment of women and young persons. The Committee notes the statistics provided by the Government, according to which, as of August 2020, there were 1,512,463 registered jobseekers in Iraq (1,281,470 men and 230,993 women). It further notes that, according to the DWCP, female labour force participation in Iraq, estimated at 20 per cent, is low. Iraqi women who do participate in the labour market are also more likely to be unemployed, under-employed or employed in part-time jobs. Young women appear to be facing particular challenges in finding employment. In 2016, 65 per cent of young women were unemployed, compared to 32 per cent of young men. With respect to employment opportunities for young persons, the Committee notes that, according to the DWCP, youth unemployment is around 36 per cent, compared to the overall national unemployment rate of 16 per cent. The youth participation rate (15-24 years) has also declined from 52.5 to 34 per cent since 2014. It further notes that, of seven million Iraqi young women and men, over 3.4 million are not in school and only 7 per cent have completed post-secondary education. As a result, many young Iraqis lack the skills necessary to find a job in a fragile, post-conflict economy. The Committee requests the Government to provide updated information, including statistical information disaggregated by age and sex, on the impact of employment policy measures taken by the High Committee in terms of job creation and integration of women, youth and persons with disabilities, into the labour market.In addition, the Committee requests the Government to provide information regarding measures taken to promote the employment of women, especially young women, whose participation in the labour force remains low compared to their male counterparts.

Education and training policies. The Government reports that vocational training and employment are regulated by the High Committee for Planning and Employment of the Labour Force. The Committee notes the statistical data provided by the Government, indicating that 323 persons have participated in training courses (100 male and 223 female). It further notes that the Government does not provide any information on the number of trainees who have found lasting employment after completing their training. The Government adds that coordination between training and employment programmes is currently underway within the occupational units and that an initial agreement has been reached on conducting an economic feasibility study on labour market needs and skills demands in general. The Government further indicates that effective coordination has been established between vocational guidance, training and employment programmes that are carried out in eight vocational training centres. In this regard, the Government refers to career training programmes, in particular in the health sector and food industry. In carrying out the programmes, coordination is ensured with the labour market actors in the local administrations to ensure that the programmes respond to the needs of the labour market. The Government reports that vocational guidance and training at four of the eight training programmes have been fully completed, and four others are still ongoing. It further notes that training programmes in the health sector, in particular the health administration, is one field that has attracted a high number of candidates and provided for the highest employment percentage of trainees in health institutions. The Committee also requests the Government to continue providing information on the impact of the coordination of vocational education and training policies with the specific needs of the labour market, particularly in terms of the lasting integration of jobseekers in employment. It also requests the Government to indicate the measures taken or envisaged to provide education and training to specific groups, such as underprivileged young women and persons with disabilities, with a view to improving their employability. The Committee further requests the Government to indicate the manner in which the social partners and other stakeholders concerned are consulted with respect to the development, implementation and review of education and vocational training programmes that meet the needs of the labour market.

Article 2. Collection and analysis of employment data. The Government indicates that the Ministry of Planning and its offices are responsible for providing unemployment figures and rates in Iraq. It adds that the only statistics currently available are related to the number of jobseekers, disaggregated by sex. The Committee requests the Government to provide detailed information on the measures taken to improve its labour market information system, including the manner in which the data collected is used in designing, implementing and reviewing employment policy measures. It also requests the Government to supply updated labour market information on the situation, level and trends of employment, unemployment and underemployment, disaggregated by age and sex. The Committee reminds the Government that it may avail itself of the technical assistance of the Office and hopes that it will be able to observe progress in this regard in the near future.

Article 3. Participation of the social partners in the formulation and application of employment policies. The Government indicates that the High Committee for the Planning and Employment of the Labour Force is a tripartite institution composed of representatives from relevant ministries, and the most representative workers’ and employers’ organizations. It operates under the chairmanship of the Minister of Labour and Social Affairs. The Government further indicates that the General Federation of Workers’ Unions in Iraq and the Iraqi Federation of Industries are members of the Tripartite Advisory Committee, which is responsible for the submission of the reports requested from the Government of Iraq and is provided with copies of the present reports. The Government adds that the lack of observations from workers’ and employers’ organizations is explained by the fact that the report is prepared by the Tripartite Advisory Committee. The Committee requests the Government to provide updated information in its next report on the manner in which account is taken of the opinions and experiences of the social partners within the High Committee for Planning and Employment of the Labour Force. The Government is invited to provide concrete examples in this regard.