KRG Decision Requires 75% of Project Workers to Be Local

ERBIL (Kurdistan24) — The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) has intensified efforts to increase employment opportunities for local workers by enforcing a decision requiring at least 75 percent of workers at projects and workplaces to be citizens of the Kurdistan Region.

Hogir Ali Rasul, an adviser to the KRG Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs, told Kurdistan24 on Monday that Council of Ministers Decision No. 172 contains six main provisions, all aimed at creating job opportunities for local workers across various projects.

Rasul said the most important provision limits the proportion of foreign workers at any workplace or project to 25 percent, meaning that at least 75 percent of employees must be local workers.

He explained that following the issuance of Guideline No. 8 of 2022, a joint high-level committee comprising representatives of several ministries was established to oversee implementation. The committee continues to conduct field inspections of projects in Erbil, Sulaimani, Duhok, Halabja, and the Garmiyan Independent Administration.

According to Rasul, approximately 90 percent of projects have so far complied with the required worker ratio. Companies and projects found violating the decision face legal measures, including financial fines and, in some cases, closure.

However, Rasul said the government prefers financial penalties over shutting down workplaces in order to prevent project closures from resulting in further unemployment.

Official figures from the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs show that 9,253 projects have been officially registered and are complying with the decision. Inspection committees are continuing to monitor projects across the Kurdistan Region.

Rasul said legal cases have been filed and referred to court against 16 projects for violating the government decision. Meanwhile, 51 other projects have applied for permits to employ local workers.

The measures have resulted in the employment of more than 200,000 local workers in various projects. At the same time, 3,927 foreign workers have been authorized through labor directorates, while 4,732 work permits have been issued.

Rasul warned that companies failing to comply with the guidelines could face financial penalties and possible closure under Article 222 of the Penal Code.

“The government has full coordination with governors, district administrators, and security agencies to ensure the success of this process and create a favorable employment environment for the youth of the Kurdistan Region,” Rasul said.