Observation (CEACR) - adopted 1992, published 79th ILC session (1992)

Discrimination (Employment and Occupation) Convention, 1958 (No. 111) - Iraq (Ratification: 1959)

1. Further to its observation of 1991, the Committee notes the report of the Committee responsible for examining the representation made under article 24 of the ILO Constitution by the Federation of Egyptian Trade Unions alleging the non-observance by Iraq of certain Conventions, including Convention No. 111. It notes the above Committee's conclusion that it does not appear that the actions complained of were carried out on any of the grounds covered by the Convention.

2. In its previous direct request, the Committee noted the ninth report (submitted in 1988) of the Government to the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, in which the Government stated that it had taken measures to promote the cultural rights (including the right to education and training) of citizens belonging to the ethnic and linguistic minorities of the country such as the Turkoman and Kurdish minorities. The Committee requested information on the results of these measures and on the manner in which the principle of equality of opportunity and treatment laid down by the Convention is applied to these minorities in respect of access to employment and occupation.

3. The Committee notes that, in its last report supplied in October 1990, the Government merely cites the provisions of the Constitution and labour legislation which guarantee equality in employment for all citizens. The Committee points out that under Article 2 of the Convention the Government undertakes to declare and pursue a national policy designed to promote equality of opportunity and treatment in respect of employment and occupation with a view to eliminating any discrimination, including discrimination on the basis of national extraction. Consequently, the Committee again asks the Government to provide information in its next report on the measures that have been taken or are under consideration to ensure that, in practice, the members of the Kurdish and Turkoman minorities are not subjected to any discrimination in employment or occupation and that they fully enjoy equality of opportunity and treatment.