Kurdistan PM Honors Workers’ Vital Role in Region’s Growth on International Workers’ Day
"Happy Labor Day to our great workers who are the driving force of building a 'Stronger Kurdistan'. We will continue to defend your rights and create safer, fairer environments and policies," PM Barzani wrote.
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) — Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani extended warm congratulations to all workers in Kurdistan, Iraq, and around the world on the occasion of International Workers’ Day, praising their dedication and vital contributions to the region’s development and economic foundation.
In a message issued Wednesday, Prime Minister Barzani paid deep respect to the hardworking labor force of the Kurdistan Region, emphasizing their essential role in the reconstruction, advancement, and economic stabilization of the Region. “I extend my heartfelt congratulations to all workers in Kurdistan, Iraq, and the world,” Barzani stated. “We deeply appreciate the effort and responsibility of Kurdistan’s workers in the process of rebuilding and developing the Region’s economic infrastructure.”
Barzani highlighted that the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) has made sustained efforts in recent years to improve the living conditions of workers and safeguard their rights. “The KRG has worked diligently to enhance the quality of life for workers and to protect their rights,” he noted. “We reiterate our commitment to upholding workers’ legal rights, professional health and safety standards, and improving their working environments.”
He concluded his message with a hopeful tone, wishing all workers good health and continued protection of their rights: “Happy International Workers’ Day. I hope their rights will always be protected, and they will remain healthy and safe.”
Prime Minister Barzani also extended his congratulations in a message posted on his official X account. "Happy Labor Day to our great workers who are the driving force of building a Stronger Kurdistan. We will continue to defend your rights and create safer, fairer environments and policies," PM Barzani wrote.
Happy Labor Day to our great workers who are the driving force of building a #StrongerKurdistan.
— Masrour Barzani (@masrourbarzani) May 1, 2025
We will continue to defend your rights and create safer, fairer environments and policies.
International Workers’ Day, also known as May Day, is observed globally on May 1 to honor the achievements and rights of workers and labor movements. In the Kurdistan Region — a semi-autonomous area in northern Iraq — the day holds particular significance as the region continues to rebuild from past conflicts and invest in infrastructure and economic reform. Laborers have played a central role in revitalizing public services, construction, agriculture, and industry despite facing economic hardships, political uncertainty, and delayed salaries due to budget disputes with Baghdad.
Despite facing severe economic obstacles—including the ongoing suspension of Kurdistan’s oil exports and the federal government’s continued failure to send the region’s constitutional financial entitlements—the KRG, under the leadership of Prime Minister Masrour Barzani, remains steadfast in its commitment to protecting workers’ rights and enhancing the welfare of its labor force.
The KRG has prioritized policies that aim to improve working conditions, uphold labor rights, and strengthen legal protections for employees across the Region. These efforts reflect the government’s unwavering dedication to social and economic development, even amid financial pressure and political uncertainty. By recognizing and celebrating the essential contributions of Kurdistan’s workers, the KRG continues to affirm its vision for a resilient, inclusive economy built on the backbone of its hardworking citizens.