Iraq is moving forward to legislate a trade union law in accordance with international labour standards

The session was chaired by Ms. Nahida Al-Daini, Chairwoman of the Committee, in the presence of committee members and a delegation from the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs, led by Minister Ahmed Al-Asadi, along with representatives from Iraqi Workers organizations and the Iraqi Federation of Industries. 

In her opening speech, MP Al-Daini welcomed the attendees, emphasizing that this discussion aims to enhance dialogue on the proposed legislation, which represents a crucial step towards protecting workers' rights and organizing union activities in accordance with best practices and international standards. She reaffirmed the committee’s commitment to a participatory approach that ensures the involvement of all stakeholders, including the government, Trade Unions, and the ILO, to develop a modern law that addresses challenges in Iraq’s labour environment and supports union freedoms.

For his part, the Deputy Chairman of the Committee, MP Hussein Arab, outlined the constitutional and legislative framework upon which the proposed law is based. He highlighted provisions related to the Trade Unions bylaw, ensuring their independence, and strengthening mechanisms for coordination and cooperation among unions. He also discussed the specific procedures for establishing general and subsidiary unions as well as Trade Unions federations.

In the same context, Minister of Labour and Social Affairs, Mr. Ahmed Al-Asadi, reaffirmed the Iraqi government's commitment to drafting a comprehensive law that regulates union activities and protects the rights of workers and professionals. He stressed the importance of forming a specialized committee comprising representatives from the Ministry, trade unions, employers’ organizations, parliamentary committee members, and ILO experts to refine the draft law and ensure its alignment with Iraq’s national legislation and international commitments.

Dr. Maha Kattaa, the ILO Country Coordinator for Iraq, briefed the technical support provided by the ILO in this aspect. She stated that the legislative process had undergone multiple stages of discussions and technical consultations, including knowledge exchanges with the ILO, the recent visit of a direct contact mission to Iraq, and a study visit by an Iraqi delegation to Geneva to explore best international practices in this field.

During the session, representatives of trade unions shared their observations on the draft law, emphasizing the importance of strengthening workers' and professional employees' rights to union organization. They also called for justice for workers who were reclassified as labourers under a 1987 government decision, demanding the restoration of their right to union representation. The discussion also covered aspects related to the establishment of trade unions at different levels, whether at workplaces, provincial levels, or the national level.

Additionally, the session addressed the roadmap of the ILO's direct contact mission, which included a proposal to establish a social dialogue forum. This initiative aims to foster collaboration among key labour market stakeholders and support the development of a fair and sustainable work environment.

At the conclusion of the session, the Parliamentary Labour Committee recommended holding a joint workshop bringing together the Legal Department of the Ministry of Labour, parliamentary committee members, consultants, as well as heads and members of trade unions, along with ILO experts. The workshop aims to conduct an in-depth review of the draft law and produce a comprehensive legal framework that serves the interests of both workers and professionals in Iraq. The committee also reaffirmed its commitment to continuing consultations and holding further workshops to finalize a law that aligns with international best practices.

The ILO continues to provide technical support to the Iraqi government and social partners to develop and implement labour legislation in Iraq. This effort is part of the Building Equitable and Inclusive Transformation (BEIT) project, funded by the European Union, to establish the foundations of decent work.