Iraq’s Parliamentary Committee on Oil, Gas, and Natural Resources has raised concerns about the large gap between the salaries of Iraqi workers and foreign workers employed in oil projects across the country.
Committee member Ghalib Mohammed said that most foreign workers in Iraq are employed in the oil sector. According to him, these workers come from several countries, including India, Pakistan, Iran, and a number of European and Asian nations.
He said that foreign workers often receive much higher salaries than Iraqi workers, even when they perform similar jobs or hold the same positions. In some cases, he claimed that the monthly salary of an Asian worker can equal the combined salaries of four Iraqi employees working in the same field.
Mohammed also stated that some foreign workers and engineers working on oil projects earn significantly more than Iraqi engineers doing similar work. He believes these wage differences have made Iraq an attractive destination for foreign workers seeking employment opportunities.
He added that many foreign workers continue to enter Iraq looking for jobs, including some who arrive through illegal channels. According to his estimates, there are currently more than 100,000 foreign workers in Iraq, with the majority employed in oil-related projects.
The committee says the issue requires closer attention to ensure fair employment opportunities and better balance between local and foreign workers in Iraq’s important oil sector.
