Employing Foreign Workers in The Current Iraqi Labor Law

It is one of the essential topics related to regulating the labour market in Iraq, especially in light of the increasing need for foreign workers in various sectors such as oil, construction, and industry. The Iraqi Labor Law No. 37 of 2015, which aims to guarantee the rights of workers in general, including foreigners, regulates them, as it requires their employment according to certain conditions. The most prominent of these conditions is obtaining a work permit from the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs and that the local worker cannot fill the available job. The law also protects the rights of the foreign worker in several aspects, such as determining working hours, fair wages, and his right to obtain annual leave. It also requires employers to provide a safe and healthy work environment according to approved standards. In addition, the law obliges foreign companies investing in Iraq to employ a certain percentage of local workers while allowing them to employ foreigners when necessary. However, implementing these laws faces several challenges, most notably weak oversight in some sectors, which leads to some employers exploiting foreign workers. Some companies also prefer to employ foreigners due to the low cost of labour, which creates tensions with local workers. However, the law shows great interest in balancing the local market's needs and attracting foreign investments.