The Minister of Labor and Social Affairs, Dr. Adel Al-Rikabi delivered a lecture at RCD, in Najaf. Where he confirmed the high unemployment rates exists in the governorates, and the lack of a clear identity for the Iraqi economy as it is (socialist or capitalist). Al-Rikabi added that one of the problems that affected on national workers is the entry of foreign workers and getting jobs in many fields.

In addition to that, the problem of lack of rehabilitation and re-work for the factories that were suspended, as they may contribute to creating job opportunities for the unemployed people.
Al-Rikabi diagnosed that the lack of an investment structure, dependence on the rentier economy, the lack of applying of protection laws, and the clear neglect of vocational training centers that deal with skilling of workers.
He promised to set up a solid program to reduce the current poverty rate in Iraq from 34% to 20% within one year only.
However, ministry’s plan is to prepare fixed and specialized cadres for special degrees in the ministry, such as Deputies, Directors General, and others to lead the ministry away from political interference and pressures from the political blocs.
In the press conference that followed the symposium, accompanied by Dr. Hassan Al-Zubaidi, Executive Director of RCD, the Minister talked about the need to establish a base of professional competencies in the ministry and increase the financial allocations, one of the other treatments is the sovereign fund by deducting 1% of oil imports to the Social Care Fund.
However; Dr. Hassan Al-Zubaidi, Director of RCD, has welcomed the Minister of Labor and Social Affairs, pointing out that RCD goes on to hold sessions and host important figures to develop joint programs to evaluate performance and contribute to diagnosing obstacles and overcoming huddles facing the work of government agencies. Furthermore, he stated that these meetings would be repeated in the next few days with ministerial and academic figures.
After that, the Minister went to meet a large number of citizens who had taken the initiative of the RCD to organize their interviews and bring them individually to meet the minister, although he listened to their suffering and looked at a number of their requests that they submitted directly.