ILO - Local Consultant in Kirkuk

To coordinate and follow up with local tripartite groups in its efforts to expand
social security coverage for workers in Kirkuk Governorate
I. BACKGROUND
In March 2023, Iraq ratified International Labour Organization (ILO) Convention No. 102
on Minimum Standards of Social Security. Following this, in November 2023, the
Government enacted Law No. 18 of 2023 on Retirement and Social Security for Workers.
This new law replaces the former Retirement and Social Security Law No. 39 of 1971 and
aims to provide comprehensive coverage for all workers, including those in the informal
economy, the self-employed, and contributing family workers. These legislative
developments mark a significant step towards increasing the formalization efforts in the
country. Indeed, the expansion of social security in itself will shed light on hereto hidden
labour relations and enable efforts to ensure better protections.
Kirkuk Governorate, with a labuor force participation rate of 35.3%, has a diverse
economic landscape driven by its rich oil resources, agriculture, and trade. It plays a vital
role in Iraq's economy by producing a significant proportion of the country's oil exports
and hosting numerous manufacturers and factories. Given this industrial presence,
expanding social security coverage for workers in the oil and industrial sectors is crucial
for the effective implementation of the new social security law.
In that line, the ILO is committed to providing technical support for reforming and
developing Iraq's social security system and enforcing relevant regulations, including the
new law. This initiative is in collaboration with the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs,
workers' and employers' organizations, the Labour Committee and Civil Society
Institutions within the Iraqi Parliament, with funding generously provided by the
European Union in partnership with UNICEF and World Food Program.
As part of the project, in May 2024, the ILO conducted a one-day tripartite workshop in
Kirkuk Governorate, which included representative from the Labour Committee in the
Parliament, the Social Security Office in Kirkuk, workers’ and employers' organizations.
The workshop aimed to facilitate social dialogue on the national implementation of the
new social security law and highlighted proposed activities for 2023-2027. Discussions
focused on implementation mechanisms, the commitments of local and national parties,
challenges, strategies, and priorities for expanding coverage under the new law in Kirkuk.
The workshop concluded with an agreement to continue joint efforts between the
Department of Pension and Social Security in Kirkuk, workers’, and employers'
organizations to ensure the optimal application of the law.