Work conditions in Iraq

The Active Population in Figures

Working Conditions

Legal Weekly Duration

Private sector: 8 hours of work per day, 6 days per week.
Public sector: set by the head of each ministry.
During Ramadan working hours are generally reduced to 6 per day.

Retirement Age

60 years old.

Working Contracts

Working contracts are regulated by Labor Law No. 71 of 1987. Contracts can be for a limited or unlimited period. They are integrated by collective agreements. Employment contracts must be written, and must specify in them the type of work to be performed, and the wages to be paid.

Labour Laws

Consult Doing Business Website, to obtain a summary of the labor regulations that apply to local entreprises.

Cost of Labour

Minimum Wage

The national monthly minimum wage is IQD 350,000 (approx. USD 267), as mandated by the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs under the 2015 Labor Law (last adjusted 2018), though some reports cite a higher rate of IQD 450,000 in Iraqi Kurdistan.

Average Wage

According to data released by the Iraqi Ministry of Planning and Development Cooperation, the average salary of public employees is USD 400.

Social Contributions

Social Security Contributions Paid By Employers: 12%
Social Security Contributions Paid By Employees: The employer's contribution is 12% and the employee's contribution is 5% of net salaries.
The contribution of employers classified as prime is at 25%.

Social Partners

Employer Associations

CPG - Confederation of Employers of Gabon

Social Dialogue and Involvement of Social Partners

Workers’ unions and federations may conclude collective agreements on behalf of its members if authorised to do so by the workers.

Labour Unions

Iraqi Federation of Trade Unions

Unionisation Rate

N/A

Labour Regulation Bodies

Iraqi Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs