Member of Parliament Jassim Al-Alawi from the State of Law Coalition is calling on the government to focus more on hiring Iraqi workers instead of relying heavily on foreign labor.
Speaking on Monday, Al-Alawi said Iraq needs to give more opportunities to its own young people, especially in investment projects and private companies.
He warned that the steady flow of foreign workers into the country is making the unemployment problem worse for Iraqi graduates and young job seekers. He also said it leads to money leaving the country, because wages paid to foreign workers are often sent abroad instead of staying in Iraq’s economy.
According to Al-Alawi, many companies and investment projects operating in Iraq overlook local talent. Instead, they bring in foreign workers mainly to maximize quick profits.
He said the government should step in and set clear rules that require investors to hire a strong percentage of Iraqi workers. In his view, this should be a basic condition for receiving investment licenses.
Al-Alawi added that strengthening the private sector and creating more jobs for Iraqis would help reduce poverty and also ease the pressure on government jobs.
At the same time, he warned that some professions are starting to be dominated by foreign workers because of weak government oversight. He stressed that stronger monitoring and clear labor policies are needed to protect opportunities for Iraqi citizens.
