Kurdistan
Two laborers in the Kurdistan Region working on a scaffolding without taking proper safety measures. File photo: Bilind T. Abdullah/Rudaw
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - One worker died and another was injured in Sulaimani on Friday when a kerosene tank exploded on the roof they were working on.
“Two workers were doing insulation work. The tank was a kerosene tank. We do not know if the explosion was due to the fire they used or not,” said Aram Ali, spokesperson for the Sulaimani civil defense directorate.
The workers were using a roofing torch when the explosion occurred. The kerosene tank was located on the roof.
Authorities in Sulaimani have started an investigation into the incident.
The two workers are from Kurdish areas of western Iran, according to Sulaimani authorities.
Dozens of workers die annually in the Kurdistan Region because of unsafe work conditions, according to the Kurdistan Workers’ Syndicate, which recorded 32 deaths in the first seven months of this year.
"Every year, tens of workers lose their lives while working," said Hangaw Abdullah, head of the Kurdistan Workers' Syndicate, in a recent statement. He noted that many employers avoid signing contracts to circumvent their legal obligations, leaving families of uninsured, deceased workers without financial support.
The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) is taking steps to address workplace safety. On July 13, 2025, the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs announced the certification of its first-ever official labor inspectors. This grants inspectors the legal authority to prosecute workplace violations and refer non-compliant companies to the judiciary.
Minister of Labor and Social Affairs Kwestan Muhammad stated at the time that the new framework is a pivotal shift in oversight. "For the first time in the history of the KRG, the Ministry of Labor officially possesses certified inspectors," she announced at a press conference in Erbil.
Crucially, in cases of workplace incidents resulting in death or permanent disability, the new framework mandates that the site's operations be immediately halted, an investigation launched, and legal action taken against any responsible employer.
This enforcement push aligns with the Iraqi Labor Code, which mandates that employers must ensure healthy conditions and sufficient safety measures. It also follows collaboration with the International Labour Organization to strengthen labor governance and inspection in the region.
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