European Union

Statement

International Labour Conference

113^th session

Geneva, 2-13 June 2025

________

Committee on Application of Standards

Iraq

Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organise Convention, 1948 (No. 87)

(ratification: 2018)

________

Geneva, 09 June 2025

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International Labour Conference

113th Session

Geneva, June 2025

Committee on the Application of Standards

Iraq

Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organise Convention, 1948 (No. 87)

Chair,

I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union and its Member States.

The candidate countries North Macedonia, Montenegro, Albania, Ukraine and Republic of Moldova and Bosnia and Herzegovina* and the EFTA countries Iceland and Norway members of the European Economic Area align themselves with this statement.

1. The EU and its Member States are committed to the respect, protection and fulfilment of human rights, including labour rights. We promote universal ratification and effective implementation of fundamental ILO Conventions and support the ILO in developing and promoting international labour standards and supervising their application. 

2. We recognize Iraq’s efforts in discussing legislative reform and engaging with the ILO to bring national legislation in conformity with Convention No. 87. However, we remain deeply concerned about the ongoing restrictions affecting trade union pluralism, limitations on the right of public servants and foreign workers to organize, and barriers such as excessive membership requirements, which continue to obstruct workers’ ability to associate freely. The full alignment of Iraq’s legal framework with Convention No. 87 must be expedited, ensuring concrete and enforceable protections for trade union rights.

3. We note with regret the information of legal proceedings initiated against trade union leaders in relation to the collection of union dues. These cases, which have involved investigations and court summons, raise concerns about the broader environment for trade union rights in Iraq. We urge the Government to provide full transparency on the status of these proceedings and ensure that no trade union representative faces undue legal or administrative pressure, such as arrestation, detention or criminal prosecution for engaging in legitimate trade union activities.

4. Furthermore, the functioning of institutional mechanisms such as the Coordination Council and the proposed tripartite technical committee for the elaboration of the new draft Law on Trade Unions must be reinforced to guarantee meaningful social dialogue. Trade unions must be granted an effective role in shaping the legislative framework, ensuring that their concerns are heard and incorporated into legal reforms. Genuine engagement with all stakeholders remains crucial to building trust and safeguarding fundamental rights.

5. While legislative reform is necessary, it must not remain a theoretical exercise. The Government of Iraq must take decisive action to ensure that protections for trade union rights are not only enshrined in law but also fully implemented in practice. We urge the Government of Iraq to ensure that the new Law on Trade Unions will provide strong and enforceable guarantees that uphold workers' right to organize freely and independently.

6. We encourage the Government of Iraq to continue its collaboration with the ILO and the social partners taking decisive action to fully uphold the obligations outlined in Convention No. 87. We remain committed to closely monitor developments and reaffirm our commitment to supporting efforts that promote international labour standards and protect the workers’ rights in Iraq.

Thank you, Chair.

*North Macedonia, Montenegro, Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina continue to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process.