Advancing inclusive employment and opportunities for all
“Inclusive employment is not only a moral obligation – it also strengthens economic development and social cohesion by unlocking the full potential of all society,” highlighted Zakia Sayed Salih, Deputy Minister at the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs (MoLSA) of the Kurdistan Regional Government of Iraq.
On World Refugee Day, this message serves as a reminder that inclusion benefits everyone. In contexts affected by displacement, access to decent work is often one of the most important steps towards rebuilding livelihoods and restoring stability. It enables people to rebuild their lives and make use of their skills and talents, while contributing to their communities and local economies. Expanding access to opportunities can strengthen livelihoods, promote social cohesion, and help communities address shared challenges.
The Kurdistan Region hosts over 80% of Iraq’s refugee population. Recognising that long-term responses go beyond humanitarian support, the Kurdistan Regional Government established the Inclusive Employment Platform (IEP) with support from the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH.
The platform brings together government, employers, workers, international organisations and civil society to discuss barriers to employment and identify practical solutions for making opportunities more accessible. Rather than addressing these challenges separately, participants work together to identify common priorities and explore responses.
In one of its sessions on an inclusive employment policy for the Kurdistan Region, participants focused on women, youth, persons with disabilities and displaced people, examining the barriers they face and discussing possible ways forward.
Across the discussions, one clear message stood out: people who are most affected by employment policies should have a meaningful voice in shaping them.
The discussions highlighted several priority areas for change, including stronger protection against discrimination, better support for working parents, improved access to formal employment for refugees and internally displaced people, and expanded opportunities for persons with disabilities. Participants also pointed to the importance of encouraging private sector engagement, including incentives for companies that provide training and job opportunities for young people and other underrepresented groups.
These insights are now feeding into ongoing work led by MoLSA, with support from the International Labour Organization (ILO), to develop a new National Employment Policy for the Kurdistan Region of Iraq.
GIZ also works closely with government institutions in both Federal Iraq and the Kurdistan Region, including MoLSA, the Ministry of Migration and Displacement (MoMD) and the Joint Crisis Coordination Centre (JCC), to support the safe return and reintegration of Iraqi returnees.
This work focuses on strengthening how institutions engage with returnees by listening to their experiences, understanding their skills and exploring opportunities for work or small business. The aim is to support people in rebuilding their lives and contributing again to their families and local communities.
GIZ also supports national efforts that connect returnees with available services. One example is the National Referral Mechanism, established by the MoMD, which brings together information on support from government, local actors, the private sector and international organisations. GIZ helps strengthen coordination around this system so that returnees can be more easily linked to relevant support and opportunities.
Together, these efforts reflect a broader commitment to creating opportunities for people affected by displacement. By strengthening access to employment, services and support systems, they contribute to stronger communities and more resilient prospects for the future.