ILO: public employment programs can rebuild Iraq’s infrastructure and promote social cohesion

Shafaq News/
Iraq’s ongoing economic and social challenges, stemming from years of conflict
and instability, demand innovative solutions. In a recent report, the
International Labour Organization (ILO) reflects on the role that public works
programs can play in promoting decent employment and rebuilding the country’s
infrastructure.

The report,
titled “Reflections on Experiences of the International Labour Organization:
Towards Promoting Decent Employment for Public Works Programmes in Iraq”, draws
on the insights of Mito Tsukamoto, Branch Chief of Employment Investment at the
ILO.

The National
Public Works Program (NPEP) in Iraq is positioned as a remarkable initiative
aimed at addressing the nation’s high unemployment rates, particularly among
vulnerable groups such as women, youth, and displaced persons while improving
Iraq’s infrastructure.

“Public
works programmes have been used globally to stimulate economic growth and
reconstruction,” Tsukamoto explains, adding that these programmes not only
create immediate job opportunities but also invest in essential services and
achieve broader socio-economic objectives.

Lessons from
Global Experiences

The ILO, in
collaboration with Iraq’s Ministry of Planning, recently held a consultative
workshop in Erbil to discuss the design and implementation of a national public
employment programme. The workshop brought together government officials, civil
society organizations, and development experts to review both local and
international best practices. Public employment programmes (PEPs), Tsukamoto
explains, “are state (or donor)-funded programmes that create employment
contributing to the public good, outside of normal public service, and
complement existing delivery mechanisms.”

The report
draws on the success of similar programmes in countries such as India, South
Africa, Yemen, and Egypt. “We have seen the implementation of similar
programmes, using social development funds in Yemen and Egypt, regional public
works programmes in Jordan, Turkey, and Syria,” Tsukamoto notes. These
initiatives, while not always fully funded, have successfully created local job
opportunities, particularly for vulnerable groups.

One notable
example mentioned in the report is Iraq’s own “Employment Intensive Investment
Programme” in Duhok, which has made significant progress in infrastructure
development and green works. The program is credited with improving public
services while offering decent employment opportunities.

Key Design
Principles

Drawing from
international experiences, Tsukamoto mentioned three aspects of public
employment programmes: careful design, performance monitoring, and ongoing
adjustments. She stresses the importance of clear and realistic objectives, as
well as inclusivity and appropriate wage standards. “One of the key lessons is
embedding decent work principles and effective targeting of women, youth, and
the disabled into such programmes,” she states, stressing that ensuring fair
wages and equality in the workplace is essential for long-term success.

Building
Iraq’s Infrastructure and Social Cohesion

A
well-designed National Public Employment Programme in Iraq has the potential to
address multiple challenges, from unemployment to infrastructure deficits.
Tsukamoto notes that these programmes can “rebuild vital infrastructure, from
roads and schools to water systems,” while also supporting climate change
initiatives through green works. Additionally, the report highlights the
potential for PEPs to increase care services in local communities, offering
equal opportunities to both men and women.

According to
the ILO report, the programme could also foster regional stability by creating
jobs in conflict-affected areas, contributing to local economic recovery and
social cohesion. However, Tsukamoto cautions that the programme must target the
right beneficiaries, including the poor, women, youth, disabled, and displaced
persons, to achieve meaningful poverty reduction.

Recommendations
for Implementation

The ILO
report provides several key recommendations for the successful implementation
of Iraq’s National Public Employment Programme. First, it calls for investment
in building the capacity of local institutions to manage and implement the
programme effectively. This includes training both workers and supervisors and
ensuring the availability of technical expertise. The programme must also align
with Iraq’s broader national development goals, such as poverty reduction and
regional stability.

Three key
opportunities identified in the report include: infrastructure development,
restoration of Iraq’s ecosystems, and expansion of services prioritized by
local communities. The report stresses that the programme should not be
designed solely as a short-term crisis response but as a long-term development
strategy that fosters social inclusion and policy coherence.

However,
Tsukamoto warns that public employment programmes must strike a balance between
competing objectives. “Although PEPs can achieve multiple objectives
simultaneously, achieving them all is not a given,” she cautions, stressing the
importance of careful consideration to avoid overloading the programme with too
many goals.

“By
adhering to these recommendations, Iraq’s National Public Employment Programme
can become a key tool in addressing unemployment and achieving sustainable
development,” Tsukamoto concluded.

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