Erbil, Kurdistan Region, May 1, 2023
On the occasion of the International Labor Day, May Day, I offer my warmest greetings to all workers in Kurdistan, Iraq and the world. I extend my congratulations to their unions and organizations. I salute the participation and sacrifices of the Kurdistan workers during the days of struggle and revolution, and applaud their outstanding role and hard work in the process of reconstruction of Kurdistan. I wish them success.
On this occasion, I express all support for the rights and legitimate demands of workers, and emphasize the need for a modern labor law to protect workers’ rights, and to promote acceptable conditions of labor with respect to minimum wages, hours of work, and occupational safety and health. The welfare of workers and their families should be improved and trade unions and organizations should work more effectively for their rights.
The institutions and relevant authorities of the Kurdistan Region have a duty to protect and promote workers’ rights to a decent standard of living, and to fully support families who have lost their loved ones in work-related incidents.
I wish everyone a happy International Labor Day.
Nechirvan Barzani
The President of the Kurdistan Region