Iraq Employment Guide: Labor Law, Hours and Severance for Foreign Employers
Everything foreign and Iraqi employers need to know about Iraqi labor law, foreign worker quotas, working hours, severance and the work-permit process. Backed by License №35 and 18+ years on the ground in Basra.
Hiring in Iraq is governed by Labor Law No. 37 of 2015. Foreign companies cannot self-sponsor workers. They must incorporate an Iraqi entity or hire through a licensed manpower agency. This guide explains the labor law, the 80/20 quota, working hours, severance and the work-permit process.
Pick a topic, we keep the facts current.
Each guide reads from a single internal fact sheet, re-verified against authoritative sources every six months. No contradictions across pages.
Written by an operator, not a remote SaaS.
Direct sponsor of record. Not a foreign EOR routing through partners.
Real placements at scale: 7,000 workers (Kulak/KBR), 4,000+ permits (BGC).
India, Pakistan, Nepal, Philippines, Sri Lanka...
Aligned with Iraqi Ministry of Labor and current legislation (Labor Law 37/2015, Social Security Law 18/2023).
Frequently asked questions
What does the Iraq Employment Guide cover?
The Iraq Employment Guide is a free reference for employers hiring in Iraq. It covers Iraqi labor law (Law No. 37 of 2015), the 80/20 foreign worker quota, working hours and overtime, public holidays, severance and end-of-service entitlements, and the end-to-end work permit and visa process.
Who is this guide for?
It is written for foreign companies bringing staff into Iraq and for Iraqi employers who need a plain-English summary of their legal obligations. Every page is based on Iraqi legislation and on Albadyea United's 18+ years of on-the-ground recruitment and permit processing.
How current is the information in this guide?
Every guide reads from a single internal fact sheet, re-verified against authoritative sources including the Iraqi Ministry of Labor, Labor Law No. 37 of 2015 and Social Security Law No. 18 of 2023. Each page shows its last-verified date.
Does Albadyea United also handle hiring, not just information?
Yes. Albadyea United is a licensed Iraqi manpower agency (License №35) that recruits, vets and sponsors foreign and Iraqi workers and processes their work permits and residence visas end-to-end. The guide is the reference; the agency does the work.
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Frequently asked questions
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What does the Iraq Employment Guide cover?
The Iraq Employment Guide is a free reference for employers hiring in Iraq. It covers Iraqi labor law (Law No. 37 of 2015), the 80/20 foreign worker quota, working hours and overtime, public holidays, severance and end-of-service entitlements, and the end-to-end work permit and visa process.
Who is this guide for?
It is written for foreign companies bringing staff into Iraq and for Iraqi employers who need a plain-English summary of their legal obligations. Every page is based on Iraqi legislation and on Albadyea United's 18+ years of on-the-ground recruitment and permit processing.
How current is the information in this guide?
Every guide reads from a single internal fact sheet, re-verified against authoritative sources including the Iraqi Ministry of Labor, Labor Law No. 37 of 2015 and Social Security Law No. 18 of 2023. Each page shows its last-verified date.
Does Albadyea United also handle hiring, not just information?
Yes. Albadyea United is a licensed Iraqi manpower agency (License №35) that recruits, vets and sponsors foreign and Iraqi workers and processes their work permits and residence visas end-to-end. The guide is the reference; the agency does the work.
Still have questions? We answer in English, Arabic and French within 24 hours.
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