The Head of the Al-Nabaa Forum for Dialogue discussed prospects for private-sector work and cooperation in labor and social security with the Country Coordinator for the International Labour Organization (ILO), a United Nations agency.
In a statement received by Al-Nabaa News Agency, the Forum noted that the Head of Al-Nabaa Forum for Dialogue, Ali Al-Talqani, received Maha Kattaa, Country Coordinator for the International Labour Organization, and Amjad Rabi, the Organization's Social Security Director, at his office in Karbala on Tuesday. During the meeting, they discussed enhancing cooperation with the private sector and deliberated on the social security draft law slated for legislative enactment.
According to the statement, Al-Talqani pointed out the importance of maintaining ongoing dialogue with community and religious organizations and leaders to support the project, as it directly pertains to the rights of the working class and vulnerable communities.
The statement added that during the meeting, discussions addressed financial sustainability, ensuring protection for the working class and economically fragile communities, and expanding social security coverage for workers across the governorates.
It is worth noting that the Iraqi Council of Representatives postponed the second reading of the draft Social Security Law because a quorum was not reached. If enacted, the law will grant retirement pensions to more than ten million workers, at a time when data indicates a lack of accurate statistics regarding the number of workers covered by the social security and retirement law.
Maha Kattaa, Country Coordinator for the International Labour Organization, stated: "The Al-Nabaa Forum for Dialogue exerts extraordinary efforts in the field of dialogues and discussions, as well as in its research and academic work. The international organization is making efforts to expand the scope of cooperation, extend social security coverage, and harmonize relevant legislation."
For his part, Amjad Rabi, Social Security Director at the Organization, remarked: "There are broad and significant prospects for cooperation between us. Discussing observations regarding the draft social security law ensures alignment of the law's articles with international standards. We envisage organizing a workshop and media awareness campaigns to raise public awareness of the law and build support for it, which can be accomplished through the Al-Nabaa Forum for Dialogue and its evident activities and significant efforts."
The Al-Nabaa Forum for Dialogue is a community-based forum that seeks to encourage discussion and generate ideas to support and advise government institutions and civil society organizations through periodic reports, with contributions from a group of researchers and participants.
For its part, the International Labour Organization is a specialized UN agency whose mission is to promote social justice, human rights, and labor rights. As the only tripartite UN agency, it brings together governments, employers, and workers to promote decent work throughout the world and formulate labor standards and policies. Established in October 1919 under the League of Nations, it comprises 187 member states and is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland.