Attachments
Baghdad – Iraq, 24 April 2025 - As part of the Building Equitable and Inclusive Transformation (BEIT) project funded by the European Union, the International Labour Organization (ILO), in collaboration with the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs and social partners from workers’ and employers’ organizations, held the first national conference on occupational heat stress. The event aimed to discuss the impacts of climate change on the work environment and explore ways to protect workers in Iraq from the increasing risks of heat stress.
The conference brought together high-level officials from the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs, the Ministry of Planning, the Ministry of Construction, Housing, Municipalities and Public Works, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Environment, and several other relevant ministries. Also in attendance were members of the Parliamentary Labour and Civil Society Committee, workers' and employers' organizations, several international organizations, and national experts.
In his opening remarks, Mr. Ahmed Al-Asadi, Minister of Labour and Social Affairs, stated: "Heat stress is no longer just a passing health condition. It has become a real occupational hazard that threatens the lives of thousands of workers, impacts their productivity, contributes to an increase in occupational accidents, and burdens the national economy with additional costs in terms of treatment, care, and human losses." He emphasized, "Our full commitment to adopting realistic and practical policies and procedures that enhance the ability of state institutions and employers to adapt to these challenges, through the development of national legislation."
Meanwhile, Mr. Lennart Deridder, Head of Cooperation at the European Union Delegation to Iraq, noted in his address**:** "Iraq is facing some of the most severe climate impacts globally. Rising temperatures, persistent drought, and frequent heatwaves are jeopardizing worker safety and the country’s broader development objectives. Every Iraqi worker deserves access to a safe working environment, decent employment, and fair compensation. This is not only a matter of human dignity, but also fundamental to sustainable development and long-term economic growth. The European Union reaffirms its strong and enduring partnership with the Government of Iraq and all national stakeholders in the pursuit of decent work, environmental sustainability, and social justice."
In the same context, Dr. Maha Kattaa, the ILO Country Coordinator in Iraq, stated*: “We at the ILO are working with our partners in Iraq to ensure that climate adaptation becomes a fundamental part of occupational safety and health policies. This conference marks an important beginning for an inclusive national dialogue grounded in international standards, promoting climate justice in the workplace, and driving the development of practical and comprehensive policies.”*
The conference featured several technical presentations on the topic of heat stress and its impact on workers' health, safety, and decent work overall. ILO reports indicate that no less than 71% of the global working population is exposed to excessive heat, resulting in an estimated 22.85 million injuries and 18,970 deaths annually. The ILO has called for the adoption of relevant international labour standards, particularly the Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 1981 (No. 155), and the Promotional Framework for Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 2006 (No. 187), as the foundation for developing national frameworks.
The conference concluded with key recommendations, most notably: accelerating the development of comprehensive national programs to address occupational heat stress; updating legislation and procedures on occupational safety and health; and intensifying training, inspections, and field awareness efforts.
This conference is part of the activities under the "Building Equitable and Inclusive Transformation (BEIT)” project is an EU-funded initiative jointly undertaken by UN-Habitat, the International Labour Organization, and the International Trade Centre. The programme aims to drive economic growth by creating decent job opportunities, advancing Iraq's affordable and sustainable housing initiatives and strengthening the construction sector.
For media inquiries: ILO Iraq Communications Team
Email: muhi@ilo.org