Kurdistan Launches Legal Framework to Protect Workers with Certified Labor Inspectors
Kurdistan Region takes historic step in labor rights enforcement as first-ever certified inspectors gain legal authority to prosecute workplace violations, ensuring accountability and safer conditions under Minister Kwestan Muhammad's reforms.
By Ahora Qadi
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – In a landmark step toward enforcing labor rights, Kurdistan Region’s Minister of Labor and Social Affairs, Kwestan Muhammad, announced on Sunday that a number of official labor inspectors have taken their legal oath and received formal certification, marking a pivotal shift in workplace oversight and labor protection.
First-Ever Certified Labor Inspectors in KRG History
“For the first time in the history of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), the Ministry of Labor officially possesses certified inspectors,” Muhammad said during a press conference in Erbil. These inspectors will accompany field committees to job sites to ensure compliance with professional standards and labor laws.
Previously, inspectors visited work locations, but lacked legal status, rendering them incapable of taking formal action against violations. “That is no longer the case,” the minister stated, adding that the certified inspectors now have full authority to take legal measures.
Legal Accountability for Workplace Violations
According to Muhammad, the new framework empowers field committees to prosecute violations and has already resulted in several companies and workplaces being referred to court. She emphasized that in cases of workplace incidents resulting in death or permanent disability, the committee will immediately halt operations at the site and initiate an investigation.
“If it is confirmed that the employer is responsible, legal action will be taken and the employer will be referred to the judiciary,” she affirmed.
Safeguarding Labor Rights Under the Ninth Cabinet
The Minister highlighted that this development is part of a broader push under the KRG’s Ninth Cabinet to reinforce labor protections. “We have achieved tangible progress in defending and protecting workers’ rights,” she said.
This institutional shift aligns with the KRG’s broader commitment to legal reform, transparency, and international investment standards. Kurdistan’s secure environment and robust regulatory system continue to set the Region apart from its surroundings, offering both stability and opportunity in a volatile Middle East.
Economic Stability and Institutional Reform: A Background of Progress
This labor milestone comes in the context of wider efforts by the KRG to fortify its economic and institutional landscape. On April 9, Safeen Dizayee, head of the KRG’s Department of Foreign Relations, emphasized the Region’s stability and legal predictability as a major draw for foreign investment.
“Kurdistan has proven to be a place free from conflict and unpredictability,” Dizayee noted. “This is what sets us apart.”
His comments were echoed by Dr. Mohammed Shukri, Chairman of the Kurdistan Board of Investment, who revealed that over $2 billion in Emirati investments are currently active in the Region. Projects such as agricultural development in Zakho are aimed at strengthening food security and sustainable growth.
As the Region moves to solidify its legal institutions and protect its workforce, Kurdistan is positioning itself as a beacon of resilience, reform, and responsibility in a transforming regional landscape.
