ILO, Iraq’s Ministry of Planning and the national partners conclude a consultative workshop on promoting decent work in public works programmes supported by the European Union

ERBIL (ILO News) 19-20 September 2024 - The International Labour Organization (ILO) held a consultative workshop in Erbil titled "Promoting Decent Work in National Public Works Programmes," which lasted for two consecutive days. The workshop brought together representatives from the Iraqi Ministry of Planning, Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs, along with local and international experts from the United Nations Human Settlements Programme and the International Trade Centre.

In the opening of the workshop, Dr. Maha Kattaa, the ILO Country Coordinator in Iraq, stated: "Public works programmes in most countries are among the essential components of the social protection network aimed at alleviating the impacts of crises and economic shocks, as well as providing a way out of the poverty cycle. The design and implementation of a public works programme in Iraq is expected to also provide infrastructure, social services, including childcare to increase women's participation in the labor market, and enhance responses to climate challenges through a focus on the green economy."

Maha Abdul Kareem Hamoud, Director General of the Planning Department, expressed the importance of the programme, stating: "The public works programme designed by the Ministry of Planning in collaboration with the ILO seeks to provide decent job opportunities for youth and enhance economic development through infrastructure investment."

Mito Tsukamoto, Branch chef of Employment Investment at the ILO, emphasized the importance of sustainable employment in rebuilding Iraq, saying: "Every investment must lead to viable and lasting job opportunities. Both the public and private sectors in Iraq must be mobilized for this effort."

During the workshop, participants discussed strategies to ensure that the national public works programme contributes to economic growth, social inclusion, and gender equality. The programme is designed to benefit all Iraqis, especially the most vulnerable groups, and lessons learned from similar global experiences were highlighted.

Deputy Minister of Labour and Social Affairs, Ms. Zakia Said Saleh, stated: “Creating jobs is essential to reducing poverty and driving economic growth in Iraq and Kurdistan. To achieve this, we must remove existing obstacles and develop effective policies and programs, including public works programs,” 

Dr. Khaled Al-Saegh, Deputy Minister of Labour and Social Affairs, added: "Involving the National Centre for Occupational Health and Safety has an impact on raising awareness among workers regarding safe working methods and adherence to safety rules."

The workshop concluded with a commitment from all stakeholders to establish a technical working group and a supervisory committee to ensure the effective implementation of the national public works programme. The importance of ongoing collaboration between Iraqi institutions and international partners was emphasized as crucial to the programme's success.

This workshop is part of ongoing efforts to support the Iraqi government in establishing a national public works programme aligned with Iraq's National Development Plan (2024-2028), aimed at addressing unemployment, promoting decent and sustainable job opportunities, and improving infrastructure and public services across Iraq while adhering to international labour standards.