Over 43,000 foreign workers legally employed in Iraq, Federal Ministry reports
Despite the legal workforce, Iraq hosts over 1 million foreign workers, the majority of whom lack legal permits.
ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – The Iraqi Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs announced on Sunday that more than 43,000 foreign workers have obtained work permits in the country.
Najm al-Aqabi, spokesperson for the ministry, emphasized the importance of regulating foreign labor, stating, “The matter of foreign workers is a very important issue; according to Labor Law No. 37 of 2015, it emphasizes that the ratio of the labor force between domestic and foreign must be 50 percent.”
Al-Aqabi urged business owners to refrain from hiring illegal foreign workers, warning that violators will face legal consequences and significant penalties. "The Iraqi Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs has more than 43,000 foreign workers who have work permits," he noted.
“We will also prevent the entry of unskilled workers,” al-Aqabi added.
Despite the legal workforce, Iraq hosts over 1 million foreign workers, the majority of whom lack legal permits.
Economist Nasser Kinani highlighted the impact of illegal foreign labor on local employment, stating, "The large number of foreign workers, most of whom work illegally in Iraq, have restricted job opportunities for Iraqi youth and left the Iraqi workforce unemployed."
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Kinani also pointed out the security implications, adding, “The danger is not only that they have not left job opportunities for Iraqi youth, but also a security dimension. Most of these workers operate normally and without a license; foreign workers have occupied the domestic market in a dangerous and unsupervised manner."