In Collaboration with the International Labour Organization: The Ministry of Planning Launches a National Dialogue to Design a Comprehensive Public Works Programme in Iraq

This initiative falls within the Ministry’s broader efforts to align employment policies with social protection and climate change strategies, through investment in labour-intensive projects that can create real and impactful job opportunities, particularly for vulnerable groups in the labour market, including job seekers registered in the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs’ database and beneficiaries of the social protection network.

In his opening remarks, Maher Hammoud Johan, Technical Deputy Minister at the Ministry of Planning, emphasized the importance of public works for Iraq. He explained that the programme is being designed to support the achievement of two key national policy objectives: Goal 4 on expanding solar energy systems and Goal 9 on sustainable afforestation, both of which contribute to emissions reduction and long-term climate resilience.

From the ILO side, Maha Kattaa, ILO Country Coordinator in Iraq, presented a strategic overview of the technical cooperation with the Iraqi government, particularly on piloting operational models within the public works framework. She highlighted the reforestation project in Duhok, which generated more than 27,000 workdays with a strong focus on engaging vulnerable populations, Kattaa also noted that the ILO, in coordination with the Ministry of Planning, is working on a National Public Works Roadmap, expected to be announced following consultations with relevant ministries, workers' and employers' organizations.

She emphasized that the government’s proposal to afforest 6,228 dunams across 14 governorates presents a strategic opportunity to launch a programme that could generate at least 15,000 green jobs over the next five years. The programme aims to integrate public works with vocational training, entrepreneurship, and social protection, forming a cohesive model for sustainability and efficient public spending. She affirmed the ILO’s readiness to provide technical support by developing unified implementation tools, including Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), a monitoring and evaluation system, and coordinated governance structures, while also exploring green financing partnerships.

The workshop concluded with a set of practical recommendations, including, Finalizing the National Roadmap for the Public Works Programme, covering design, financing, governance, and implementation modalities; Launching pilot projects in solar energy, afforestation, construction, and digital infrastructure; Building the capacities of local actors, partner institutions, and beneficiaries; Strengthening partnerships with civil society and the private sector.

Participants unanimously affirmed that the Public Works Programme represents a central pillar for tackling unemployment, stimulating economic recovery, and fostering social cohesion. They stressed that its success would depend on coordinated efforts among key ministries, particularly Planning, Labour, Agriculture, Oil, Industry, Construction and Housing, alongside the technical support of international partners, most notably the ILO.

This workshop is part of the "Building Equitable and Inclusive Transformation (BEIT)” project is an EU-funded initiative that aims to drive economic growth by creating decent job opportunities, advancing Iraq's affordable and sustainable housing initiatives and strengthening the construction sector.

For media inquiries: 

ILO Iraq Communications Team

Email: muhi@ilo.org