Country: Iraq Source: International Labour Organization Please refer to the attached file. ILO News / Baghdad, 27 February 2025 – Today, Baghdad witnessed the launch of the National Social Dialogue Forum in Iraq, with the participation of a high-level ministerial delegation led by Mr. Ahmed Al-Asadi, Minister of Labour and Social Affairs, alongside the Deputy Minister for Labour Affairs, several general directors, senior ministerial officials, and representatives of workers' and employers' organizations. The forum also included members of the Labour Committee and civil society institutions from the Iraqi Parliament. The launch marks a significant step in enhancing consultation and cooperation between the government, workers' organizations, and employers on labor market issues and other matters of mutual interest.The forum aims to promote social dialogue through a sustainable mechanism that enables the tripartite partners to consult on labor issues and economic and social policies, ensuring a balance between economic interests and social justice. It serves as an advisory body focused on reviewing and developing labor legislation, monitoring its implementation, strengthening trade union rights and freedoms, and ensuring compliance with international labor standards.Ministerial Opening RemarksIn his opening speech, the Minister of Labour and Social Affairs emphasized: "Social dialogue is a fundamental pillar in shaping labor policies, ensuring labor market stability, and protecting workers' rights."Al-Asadi further clarified that the forum will serve as a permanent platform for dialogue and consultation on labor policies and legislation. It will also address challenges, propose solutions, strengthen trade union rights and freedoms, and improve enforcement mechanisms in a way that benefits all stakeholders.Ensuring Compliance with International Labor StandardsThe forum will play a crucial role in enhancing compliance with international labor standards, particularly concerning trade union rights and freedoms. The 2023 Direct Contacts Mission report from the International Labour Organization (ILO) to Iraq highlighted the need for a dialogue platform between the government, workers' organizations, and employers to develop a new trade union law to replace Law No. 52 of 1987. In this regard, the ILO has provided the necessary technical support to the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs, as well as to workers' and employers' organizations, to facilitate the establishment of this forum.Stakeholder Support and CommitmentMr. Hussein Arab, Deputy Chair of the Labour and Civil Society Institutions Committee in Parliament, stated: "The forum is one of the key outcomes of the Direct Contacts Mission visit, and its launch represents a crucial step toward strengthening the partnership among all relevant stakeholders."He also affirmed the full commitment of the Parliamentary Labour Committee to supporting the forum and contributing to achieving its objectives.Updating Iraq’s trade union law to align with international labor standards is essential, as it directly impacts the effectiveness of social dialogue and promotes decent work in Iraq. In this context, Dr. Maha Kattaa, ILO Country Coordinator for Iraq, highlighted during her speech at the forum’s launch: "The launch of the National Social Dialogue Forum in Iraq is a significant step that reflects consensus among the tripartite constituents—the government, represented by the Ministry of Labour, as well as workers' and employers' organizations. Their agreement to move forward in promoting decent work, trade union freedoms, and labor rights is critical. A consultation platform ensures that no party’s voice dominates over another, providing a valuable space for enhancing dialogue, labour legislation, and enforcement mechanisms. The ILO works closely with all partners in Iraq, and this forum represents a new mechanism for collaboration, offering comprehensive technical and advisory support to promote decent work through the National Programme implemented by the ILO.”A National Platform for Social DialogueSocial dialogue is a key tool for achieving economic development and strengthening social justice. The launch of the National Social Dialogue Forum in Iraq establishes a national platform for consultation, negotiation, and dialogue on labor market policies, programs, and legislation. This step aligns with Iraq’s commitment to the roadmap agreed upon between the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs, workers’ organizations, and employers’ organizations following the ILO Direct Contacts Mission’s visit to Iraq in 2023.A Space for Tripartite ConsultationThe forum aims to create an inclusive and democratic environment for tripartite consultation on legal, economic, and social issues of common interest. In this context, Mr. Adel Akab, President of the Iraqi Federation of Industries, emphasized: "The forum is highly significant as it serves as a platform for consultation and dialogue between the government, workers' representatives, and employers. Had such a forum existed in the past, it would have been an essential tool for bridging gaps, addressing obstacles, and preventing issues from escalating—especially concerning the development of a trade union law for workers."Strengthening Trade Union Freedoms and Supporting Social DialogueKey objectives of the forum include reviewing and advising on labor law reforms, monitoring law implementation, ensuring compliance with international labor standards, and reinforcing trade union rights and freedoms. The forum will also contribute to fostering a culture of effective social dialogue, strengthening the role of labor unions within the workforce and society. In this regard, Mr. Sattar Danbous Barak stressed: "The establishment of the Social Dialogue Forum is an important step toward advancing labor rights and strengthening the foundations of decent work in Iraq by enabling workers and their representatives to express their views, aspirations, and hopes for achieving social justice."A Vital Step for Labor Market RegulationThe forum is expected to be a valuable addition to efforts aimed at regulating Iraq’s labor market by institutionalizing tripartite dialogue and fostering consensus among stakeholders on labor-related policies and legislation. This, in turn, will contribute to sustainable development, economic stability, and social cohesion.The ILO remains committed to providing technical support to enhance social dialogue in Iraq, develop and implement labor legislation, and strengthen enforcement mechanisms through the Building Inclusive and Transformative Employment (BITE) Project, funded by the European Union.For media inquiries: ILO Iraq Communications TeamEmail: muhi@ilo.org