Iraq

The global displacement crisis demands integration solutions, notably in labor markets. The PROSPECTS Partnership, operating across Egypt, Ethiopia, Iraq, Jordan, Kenya, Lebanon, Uganda, and Sudan, aims to support refugee integration. The International Labour Organization (ILO) conducted a review focusing on refugees' right to work and rights at work. Findings reveal significant gaps in legislation, hindering refugee access to formal employment, justice systems, and social security benefits. Comprehensive legal reforms and practical support mechanisms are needed to facilitate refugee integration. Detailed country-specific reports are available for download on the ILO website.

This report seeks to provide an overview of the target market and enabling environment for the financial services industry with a view to guiding the structure and implementation of the ILO PROSPECTS pilot initiative.

Section 2 presents an overview of the macro-level country context of Iraq.

Section 3 presents the legislation, policies, regulations and key characteristics of the financial sector.

Section 4 provides an analysis of the target market, including an initial segmentation of the IDP, returnee, refugee and host sub-segments, their socio-demographic profiles, livelihoods and economic opportunities, as well as their demand for financial services.

Section 5 sums up the findings in a presentation of the market size and the scope of the demand for expanded financial services in ILO PROSPECTS focus areas. It also provides a set of recommendations on the implementation of strategic efforts to facilitate the financial inclusion of forcibly displaced people and host communities in Iraq.

Through PROSPECTS programme, the ILO has undertaken a national policy, legislative and regulatory frameworks and practice review. This review includes an analysis of current legislation, policies and regulatory frameworks, and how their implementation works in practice across the eight PROSPECTS countries to support the governments in policy, legislation, regulatory development and/or reform as appropriate.

Through this review, the ILO seeks to explore further opportunities to strengthen policy, legislative and institutional environments and mechanisms, working closely with host governments and other national actors and partners.

By providing a comprehensive and robust picture of the situation on the ground, the report offers actionable areas of intervention to support policy development, reform and implementation capacity of the host governments, other national and local actors, including the social partners, to enhance inclusion and protection.

On-line, part-time Master in Lifelong Career Guidance specifically for the MENA region

 

Career guidance (or ‘vocational guidance’) has been adopted in several countries in the world because it:

• helps young people and adults choose their educational and employment pathways more wisely;
• leads to appropriate choices that ensure more motivated students and more productive and satisfied workers;
• facilitates a better match between the demand and supply of skills.

 

Career guidance services are greatly needed in the MENA region. They can be part of the strategy to address the twin challenge of high youth and adult unemployment on the one hand, and skills gaps on the other. They can also foster social inclusion through giving access to a livelihood.

 

The University of Malta – with the expert support of the European Training Foundation (ETF), the International Labour Organization (ILO), and the UNESCO-UNITWIN Network – has issued a Call for the Expression of Interest for those who would like to receive professional training in career guidance.

 

The Master course is designed in such a way as to

• take into account the economic, labour market, educational and cultural realities of the MENA region;
• provide participants with the interdisciplinary theoretical background and practical experience needed in order to design, deliver, and evaluate lifelong career guidance services;
• promote regional expertise in policy development, systems-building, and practitioner competence. 

 

Individuals as well as public and private entities interested in the Masters can

• access the relevant information about the course here: https://www.um.edu.mt/study/mastercareerguidance

 

• email the course coordinators for further information. Professor Ronald G. Sultana (sultana@um.edu.mt) and Dr Manwel Debono (manwel.debono@um.edu.mt) will be happy to respond to questions.

 

Scholarships, in the form of partial fee waivers, are being offered by the University of Malta to deserving applicants.