MINISTRY OF LABOR AND SOCIAL AFFAIRS

MINISTRY OF LABOR AND SOCIAL AFFAIRS BAGHDAD July 4, 2003 Ministry Description The Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs provides services and benefits to Iraq’s most vulnerable citizens. The Ministry’s 3,800 career professionals administer the private social security pension fund and welfare program – giving the nation’s children, elderly, widows and disabled the financial means to survive. Services and benefits in the Kurdish regions mirror those offered by the national Ministry in Baghdad. The Ministry’s national programmatic service facilities include: 22 orphanages 45 day care centers Five nursing homes 22 homes for the hearing impaired Three centers for the visually impaired 17 facilities for the mentally disabled Eight disability employment centers Four workshops for persons with disabilities Five rehabilitation centers Two centers for persons with missing limbs Post-war Status Like many government buildings in Iraq, the Ministry’s administrative facilities were burned and looted shortly after the war ended. While structurally sound, the buildings are a hollow shell and require renovations and refurbishment. CPA is working with international NGO’s to complete the renovations of these buildings by August, 2003. At the same time, the Ministry has acquired Iraqi security to protect its facilities, has paid all Ministry employees through June, and recently began paying social security and welfare recipients for the first time since February, 2003. The Ministry is currently finalizing its 2003 budget, which will provide fiscal integrity and direction for the remainder of the year. Ministry Challenges The Ministry faces three, long term challenges. First, it must provide equal access to all of Iraq’s eligible constituents. The Ministry provides benefits to 82,000 Iraqis. The number of eligible recipients is estimated to be much higher than the figure currently being served. As a result, the Ministry must begin hiring more social workers and increasing its case load in order to provide assistance to individuals and families in need. Second, the Ministry must develop and expand its ability to complement financial assistance by providing training and employment services. By providing new, marketable skills for Iraq’s workforce, the number of displaced workers will be able to obtain employment, provide for themselves and their families, and contribute to the nation’s economy. Third, the Ministry must advocate changes in Iraq’s labor laws. Worker rights and employer protections are necessary to define the mutual relationship between the nation’s workforce and employer community. This may only be achieved once a democratically elected, legislative body has been chosen by the Iraqi people. Return to Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs