First Meeting of the Advisory Committee of the Iraqi National Network of Employers for the Empowerment and Employment of Persons with Disabilities [EN/AR]

Baghdad, Iraq – 27 April 2025 – The first meeting of the Advisory Committee of the Iraqi National Network for Employers Interested in Empowering and Employing People with Disabilities was held at the headquarters of the Iraqi Federation of Industries. The network was launched in December 2024 through a collaboration between the Iraqi Federation of Industries and the International Labour Organization (ILO), under the framework of the project “Towards more and better employment through enhanced support to private sectors in southern Iraq – with a focus on green business,” funded by the Italian government through the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation, and it is a part of Team Europe Initiative for Iraq “TAUFIQ initiative”.

The meeting was attended by the Minister of Labour and Social Affairs, the Advisor to the Prime Minister for Youth Affairs, the ILO Country Coordinator in Iraq, in addition to members of the Advisory Committee representing various governmental ministries and agencies, private sector companies, local government representatives, employers’ representatives, trade unions, worker unions, the Central Bank of Iraq, financial institutions, and civil society organizations concerned with people with disabilities.

The meeting focused on introducing the Advisory Committee to the objectives, governance structure, and main tasks of the Iraqi National Network, discussing its linkage with the ILO’s Global Business and Disability Network, and agreeing on defining the role of the Advisory Committee, its operational mechanisms, and ensuring the application of effective governance principles.

During the meeting, the Minister of Labour and Social Affairs, Mr. Ahmed Al-Asadi, stated that the meeting represents an important step in the Iraqi government’s strategy to enhance inclusive work environments. He emphasized that the Ministry of Labour is committed to working with the private sector and people with disabilities through the Disability Care and Special Needs Authority, by enforcing laws and regulations that have been legislated or amended to increase the employment rate of people with disabilities in the private sector. He added that the Cabinet would work on passing a tax exemption law to encourage employers to hire people with disabilities.

The President of the Iraqi Federation of Industries, Mr. Adel Akab, emphasized the importance of establishing the Iraqi National Network. He explained that the network has become a vital platform for companies wishing to adopt inclusive practices. He also highlighted that the Federation took on the responsibility of ensuring the network’s continuity from the beginning by establishing a division within the Federation to manage the network’s work and the Advisory Committee that represents all stakeholders to ensure the network’s sustainability. He confirmed that the network’s membership would include employers from various sectors interested in employing people with disabilities.

Dr. Qassem Al-Dalmi, Advisor to the Prime Minister for Youth Affairs, emphasized the necessity of defining practical mechanisms to improve the committee’s work, notably integrating issues of people with disabilities into national sustainable development plans. This would involve obligating all ministries to include disability integration indicators in their annual plans. He stressed the importance of sound planning and the development of clear strategies to improve the conditions of people with disabilities and enhance their living standards.

Maha Katta, the ILO Country Coordinator in Iraq, confirmed that the establishment of the network represents a starting point for supporting the effective inclusion of people with disabilities in the labour market. She explained that the Iraqi National Network represents a pioneering experience that will succeed through the efforts of all parties, particularly the Advisory Committee. She expressed hope that the committee would play a pivotal role in guiding the network, advising on its development, advocating for the rights of people with disabilities, fostering collaboration between the private and public sectors, and following up on progress in implementing policies related to the employment of people with disabilities.

In this context, Ms. Amaal Bani Awwad, Project Manager at the ILO, gave a detailed presentation outlining how the ILO’s Global Business and Disability Network supports national networks, including the Iraqi National Network. She also presented a proposal for the operational mechanisms of the Advisory Committee and its subcommittees, including role distribution, ensuring effective coordination, and enhancing the contribution of various stakeholders to achieve common goals.

The meeting resulted in an agreement on defining the tasks and operational mechanisms of the Advisory Committee for the Iraqi National Network for Employers Interested in Empowering and Employing People with Disabilities, in addition to adopting the formation of the committee and the establishment of subcommittees derived from it.

The Advisory Committee Chairperson and their two deputies were elected, along with the heads of the subcommittees specialized in communication and media, program management, and training and employment. These subcommittees will lead the technical work of the network, support the implementation of activities, and ensure that the goals outlined in a clear, measurable action plan are achieved, based on transparency and coordinated efforts.

All participants agreed that continued cooperation between government entities and the private sector is a key factor in ensuring the achievement of the network’s goals and enhancing the provision of decent job opportunities for people with disabilities.

The Iraqi National Network for Employers Interested in Empowering and Employing People with Disabilities aims to raise awareness of the importance of inclusive work environments for people with disabilities, provide technical support to companies in creating suitable environments, coordinate with government entities to obtain incentives and facilitation, organize training and rehabilitation programs to adopt inclusive practices, and provide job opportunities by linking employers with job-seeking individuals with disabilities, in cooperation with the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs. This initiative is an essential part of the ILO’s project “Towards more and better employment through enhanced support to private sectors in southern Iraq – with a focus on green business,” funded by the Italian government through the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation.

For media inquiries: ILO Iraq Communications Team

Email: muhi@ilo.org