Ministry of Labor elaborates the measures to regulate foreign employment

Baghdad – INA
 
The Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs announced on Friday the mechanism for granting work permits to foreign workers in the private sector and revealed the formation of a specialized committee to hold violators of foreign labor regulations accountable.
 
The spokesperson for the Ministry of Labor, Najm Al-Aqabi, told the Iraqi News Agency (INA) that the Foreign Workers Section within the Directorate of Labor and Vocational Training is responsible for issuing work permits to skilled workers in the private sector. He added that one of the conditions is that the worker must possess a certified certificate of expertise approved by the Iraqi Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Additionally, the ministry enforces a 50% employment ratio, requiring employers to hire an equal number of Iraqi workers alongside foreign workers.
 
Al-Aqabi also stated that specialized committees, in coordination with the Ministry of Interior and other relevant authorities, will refer employers who fail to comply with these regulations to the appropriate courts after resolving the foreign worker’s legal status. Furthermore, foreign workers who lack valid work permits or residency will face deportation.
 
These steps aim to regulate the labor market, ensure adherence to labor laws, and prioritize employment opportunities for Iraqi citizens.