By John Lee.
A new four-year Decent Work Country Programme for Iraq, 2026-2029, has been signed in Baghdad, setting out priorities for employment, skills development, economic diversification, workers' rights and social protection.
The programme marks a shift from recovery-oriented efforts towards longer-term labour market development.
The programme was signed by the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs, the Iraqi Trade Unions Council, the Federation of Iraqi Industries and the International Labour Organization (ILO). Signatories included Dr. Khalid Amjad Al Saegh, Deputy Minister of Labour and Social Affairs; Kareem Lafta Sindal, President of the Iraqi Trade Unions Council; Hisham Al-Nasiri, Board Member of the Federation of Iraqi Industries; and Claire Courteille-Mulder, ILO Deputy Regional Director for Arab States.
The programme focuses on three priorities:
- Improving market-relevant skills and access to inclusive employment
- Creating jobs through economic diversification, business growth and a just transition
- Improving the quality of work and strengthening rights-based social protection
Implementation will be overseen by a national tripartite steering committee. The programme is aligned with the National Development Plan (NDP) 2024-2028, the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework for Iraq 2025-2029, and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG).
Click here to download the full report.
(Source: International Labour Organization)
No comments yet.