The Minister of Labor Discusses With His Lebanese Counterpart the Settlement of the Status of Lebanese Workers

Baghdad / NINA/- Iraqi Minister of Labor and Social Affairs, Ahmed Al-Asadi, held talks today with his Lebanese counterpart, Mohammad Haidar, to discuss mechanisms for regulating and resolving the status of Lebanese workers in Iraq, as well as ways to enhance bilateral cooperation in vocational training and the exchange of expertise.

According to a statement from the Ministry, the official meeting was attended by the Lebanese delegation, members of the joint committee from both countries, and Deputy Chairman of the Parliamentary Labor Committee, Hussein Arab. The discussions focused on the current situation of Lebanese workers in Iraq, most of whom are working without legal status. A proposal was put forward to establish a joint committee or coordination chamber tasked with following up on the regularization of these workers and facilitating the legal procedures for their entry, in line with official frameworks.

Minister Al-Asadi emphasized the importance of prior coordination with Lebanese recruitment companies to ensure all requirements and procedures are completed before workers arrive in Iraq, thereby ensuring compliance with laws and safeguarding the rights of all parties involved.

He also directed that the issue of social security for Lebanese investors and companies operating in Iraq be addressed, in order to create a balanced work environment that protects workers’ rights and facilitates investment activities.

The two ministers also discussed drafting a memorandum of understanding to formalize bilateral cooperation by forming a joint committee comprising representatives from various professional sectors. This committee would identify areas of partnership and develop programs for training and the exchange of technical and administrative expertise.

For his part, the Lebanese minister called for strengthening economic relations between the two countries, noting the possibility of inviting Iraqi investors and companies to invest in Lebanon across various industrial and productive sectors, with the assurance that all necessary facilities would be provided./ End