Erbil Tripartite Social Dialogue meeting discusses impact of the financial situation and regional crisis on the labour market in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq

Senior representatives of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), the Federal Government of Iraq, employers’ and workers’ organizations, convened on Thursday 14 May 2026 in Erbil to discuss the impact of the current financial situation and regional crisis on the labour market in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq.

Hosted by the Kurdistan Regional Government Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs, the high-level tripartite social dialogue meeting was organized with technical support from the International Labour Organization and support from the European Union Delegation to Iraq under the European Union-funded Social Protection Programme and the Building an Equitable and Inclusive Transformation (BEIT) Programme.

The meeting brought together Zakiya Salih, Deputy Minister of Labour and Social Affairs of the Kurdistan Regional Government; Dr. Khalid Amjad Al-Saegh, Deputy Minister of Labour and Social Affairs of Iraq; Radu Eugen Butum, Head of the EU Liaison Office in Erbil, Delegation of the European Union to Iraq; and Igor Bosc, ILO Country Coordinator for Iraq.

Participants examined the impact of fiscal pressures, delayed salary payments, inflation and regional instability on workers and enterprises in the Kurdistan Region, with particular attention to sectors most affected by the crisis, including tourism, construction, manufacturing and small and medium-sized enterprises.

The meeting also highlighted the importance of social dialogue as an effective mechanism for bringing together governments, workers and employers to identify practical and consensus-based responses to labour market challenges.

“The Kurdistan Regional Government established the Social Dialogue in the Kurdistan Region to provide an institutional platform that brings together government, employers and workers to discuss labour market challenges and develop practical, consensus-based solutions,” said Zakiya Salih. “At a time of increasing economic pressures, social dialogue is essential to protecting workers, supporting enterprises and strengthening social cohesion across the Region.”

Khalid Amjad Al-Saegh reaffirmed the Federal Ministry’s commitment to strengthening cooperation with the Kurdistan Regional Government and social partners to advance labour market governance, social protection and decent work across Iraq.

“The European Union considers social dialogue as both a principle and a practical tool for managing economic change and ensuring stability,” said Radu Eugen Butum. “Today’s session is an important opportunity to move from discussion to action-oriented recommendations. Sustainable solutions can only be achieved through shared ownership and collective effort.”

“Social dialogue is one of the most effective tools available to address crises and build consensus around practical solutions that protect workers and support enterprises,” said Igor Bosc. “By bringing together federal and regional institutions with workers’ and employers’ organizations, Iraq is strengthening its capacity to respond to current challenges while laying the foundations for more inclusive and resilient labour market institutions.”

The programme featured technical presentations by the KRG Ministry of Planning, the KRG Ministry of Finance and Economy, and the ILO, providing an overview of the macroeconomic and fiscal situation and its implications for the labour market in the Kurdistan Region. The agenda also included a presentation by Wisam Chasib Al Behadili, ILO Technical Officer, on the role of social dialogue in times of crisis.

Representatives of workers’ and employers’ organizations shared perspectives on the impact of delayed payments, layoffs and business disruptions, and discussed priority actions to support enterprises, protect jobs and expand social protection coverage, including for workers in the informal economy.

The meeting concluded with a set of practical recommendations and a shared commitment to continue strengthening tripartite dialogue and institutional cooperation in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq.

The meeting contributes to the implementation of the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework for Iraq, particularly efforts to strengthen inclusive governance, expand social protection and promote decent work for all.

By fostering dialogue among government, workers and employers, the initiative supports national efforts to build more resilient labour market institutions and advance inclusive and sustainable economic development.

This activity forms part of the European Union-funded Social Protection Programme and the BEIT Programme, implemented by the ILO in Iraq to strengthen labour market institutions, expand social protection and promote inclusive and equitable economic development.