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English
Iraqi economists discuss means of
resolving the unemployment issue in Iraq
Iraqi economists discussed the
unemployment issue in Iraq and the effective means to provide labor
opportunities. Discussions took place at the Unemployment and
Rebuilding Conference 2007 held at the Al- Rasheed International
Hotel on 24- 25 July 2007 under the patronage of the Iraqi American
Chamber of Commerce and Industry. More than 200 businessmen and 100
personnel representing the Iraqi and the American Governments
participated in the Conference.
In his speech to the attendants, Mr. Raad Omar, the Executive
Officer of the Iraqi - American Chamber of Commerce and Industry
said, “We are here, today, to find a suitable mechanism to resolve
the unemployment issue in today’s Iraq. We hope that through the
participants we can find some means of cooperation between the
Ministries concerned with unemployment and private sector companies
to achieve distinguished outcomes and recommendations to limit this
phenomenon which chases every Iraqi house. We hope to put an end to
it through a new Program called “Iraq First” which aims at providing
labor opportunities against awarding to Iraqi companies contracts
valued to 5 billion USD.”
Dr. Mehdi Al-Hafid, Member of the Iraqi Parliament and Chairman of
the Advanced Policies Institute said, “In Iraq there are huge
essentials and resources of economic growth. Iraq is in the third
international rank of oil reserve besides the water resources and 8
million individuals. An actionable administration and soul
investment of these resources will definitely help Iraq to traverse
the transitional period it is facing and restore its previous role
as a country of a medium income. The high range of unemployment and
poverty stood as vital obstacles against the economic growth. The
annual increase of 200 thousand individuals accessing the labor
market and the decrease of job opportunities made this phenomenon
more complicated. The new increase represents a newly initiated
social group to be added to the relatively non- functional youths
division and the non- availability of making use of its energy.”
Al- Hafidh continued to say, “Some of the studies outlined 10% of
the Iraqi population live at low level of poverty while 12 – 15% are
expected to slope to that level, in addition to the militias and
armed groups. The unemployment percentage is 30% which equals
approximately twice the percentage in the Middle East and North
Africa. Women participation does not exceed 19%. Such unbalanced
situation definitely needs serious handling.”
Dr. Abdullah Saleem Al-Bayati, Professor of Human Growth at the
College of Administration and Economics of Al-Mustansiriyah
University confirmed that, “There is a necessity to have the
availability of special strategies in the New Iraq to facilitate and
develop the administration of the companies’ activities in order to
melt into the public economy and to support them to have equal and
positive movement. This strategy should have clear and valid labor
mechanism handled by the concerned party in coordination and
cooperation with the concerned governmental and social
establishments.” Dr. Al- Bayati added, “These companies should be
given a proper chance to initiate and move to find jobs for those
unemployed according to the principle of equality, justice and equal
opportunity and also according to the creative and competitive
elements at the International market.”
On the other hand, Dr. Ali Al-Fukaiki, Economic Expert and Chief of
Al- Fukaiki Group for Studies and Investment Consultations said,
“Today is a rare opportunity in Iraq. For the first time, the public
and private sectors meet together to resolve the Iraqi unemployment
issue which became more serious after 9/ 4/2003. Today, we are in
need to find labor opportunities for the unemployed through the
participation of the private sector in the strategic, infrastructure
and services projects which can absorb huge masses of unemployed
individuals conditioned by passing training and rehabilitation
courses at the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs.”
High level economical delegations were also present at the
Conference Hall. They discussed many proposals and recommendations
to limit the unemployment phenomenon.
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