ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Kurdish leaders on Friday reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening workers’ rights and improving living conditions as they marked International Workers' Day.
Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani congratulated workers across the Kurdistan Region, Iraq, and the world, praising their dedication and contributions.
“I hold deep respect and gratitude for their diligent efforts, which significantly contribute to the reconstruction and development of our country,” President Barzani said in a statement from the Kurdistan Region Presidency.
He reiterated the Kurdistan Region’s “unwavering support for the rights and legitimate demands of workers.”
“It is imperative that we strictly adhere to labor laws and ensure a safe and equitable environment that safeguards the dignity and rights of every worker, providing them with the security of a decent life,” he added.
The president also urged relevant authorities to meet their responsibilities toward workers and their families by providing necessary care and support.
Prime Minister Masrour Barzani echoed the message, reaffirming the government’s commitment to “promoting and protecting workers’ rights and improving their livelihoods and working conditions.”
“We will do all we can to protect workers from injustice and mistreatment,” he said, commending their role in “the development of our homeland and the building of a stronger Kurdistan.”
Workplace safety remains a longstanding concern in both the Kurdistan Region and federal Iraq, where laborers - particularly in the construction sector - often face hazardous conditions. Many employers fail to formalize contracts, enabling them to sidestep obligations related to safety standards and compensation. As a result, injured workers frequently lose their sole source of income without adequate support.
At least 18 construction workers have died in the Kurdistan Region during the first four months of 2026 due to unsafe working conditions, according to a senior member of the Kurdistan Workers’ Syndicate.
Weak enforcement of labor regulations has further compounded the issue, leaving many workers without protective equipment, insurance, or proper training.
Under Iraq’s Labor Code of 1987 (Act No. 71), employers are required to ensure safe working conditions and implement protective measures, but enforcement remains inconsistent.
The figures come ahead of Labour Day on May 1, when many laborers in the Kurdistan Region continue to work despite the public holiday.
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