Iraqi parliamentarians voted on May 17 to introduce a new social protection law, including for the first time self-employed and informal workers in the contribution system. The law has yet to be published in the official gazette, but it is already the subject of debate in Iraqi society.
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With our correspondent in Baghdad, Marie-Charlotte Rupee
At the taxi station in the Allawi district of Baghdad, the drivers are all independent. They do not contribute for their retirement, nor for unemployment. The new law on social protection is hotly debated here. Rassim Ayed, 31, is very happy. “ If it’s around 25,000 Iraqi dinars per month, yes, I will pay them and I will have a retirement pension. »
To obtain this pension which concerns them, it will be necessary to contribute 5% of its monthly income for 15 years to the Ministry of Labour. Hamza Hameed feels aggrieved. The law will not be retroactive. “ I will not benefit from it. I’m 53, you’re younger, the law will help you, but not me. If I have to pay another 15 years, I’ll be almost 70, I’ll be dead and buried. »
Informal workers also concerned
For Waleed Nemah, director of the Iraqi Workers’ Union, one of the two majority unions, this remains an important step for the future. “ This law will support six million workers. The government wants to support the private sector and the self-employed by paying them the equivalent of 12% of their income, to which must be added the 5% of workers. Their pension will amount to 17% of their income. »
Informal workers selling everything on the roadside will also be able to try to obtain these social benefits. But before the vote on the state budget, specifying the financing of this new law, many are waiting to see to believe it.
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