Hundreds of Protests and Thousands of Demonstrators… Nearly 100,000 Workers Laid Off in Iraq in March 2026.

25 Workplace Fatalities Since the Beginning of the Year
April 15, 2026
Peace and Freedom Organization (PFO)

The Peace and Freedom Organization (PFO) has released its periodic report on the situation of workers in Iraq, revealing an unprecedented escalation in economic and social crises during the first months of 2026, amid internal political complexities and the repercussions of the U.S.–Israeli war on Iran.

The report indicates that approximately 100,000 workers were laid off in March 2026 alone, due to the suspension of major economic sectors, most notably oil, tourism, and services, in addition to the closure or downsizing of hundreds of businesses as a result of the war. The organization also documented 25 worker fatalities on the job from the beginning of the year until mid-April, amid ongoing weaknesses in occupational safety measures.

Rising Unemployment and Deteriorating Living Conditions
According to the report, unemployment rates exceeded 20% in March 2026, with a significant increase in poverty levels driven by loss of income and rising prices of basic goods. Key sectors such as tourism, restaurants, bakeries, and transportation have been severely affected, with thousands of workers losing their jobs or facing substantial wage cuts. Private sector workers have been particularly impacted, especially in oil-producing provinces such as Basra, with warnings of tens of thousands more layoffs due to market instability, exchange rate fluctuations, and the effects of the war.

Severe Crisis in Civil Society Organizations
The report highlights a decline in both domestic and international funding for non-governmental organizations, leading to the closure or significant downsizing of many of them and the dismissal of thousands of employees. Workers in this sector also suffer from a lack of social protection and exclusion from social security systems.

Widespread Protests Across the Country
The organization recorded hundreds of labor protests in Baghdad and other provinces, as well as in the Kurdistan Region, since the beginning of 2026, involving thousands of workers and employees. Protesters’ demands have focused on payment of delayed salaries, rejection of wage cuts, calls for job security, and the creation of employment opportunities.

Political Challenges Deepening the Crisis
The report links the worsening economic and social conditions to the ongoing political deadlock in Iraq and the delay in forming a government following the November 2025 elections, in addition to the impact of the regional war, which has negatively affected economic and security stability.

Call for Urgent Action
The Peace and Freedom Organization calls on the Iraqi government and relevant authorities to take immediate measures to address unemployment, ensure the protection of workers’ rights, and improve occupational safety conditions, as well as to adopt urgent economic and social policies to curb rising poverty. The organization also stresses the importance of respecting the right to peaceful protest, responding to demonstrators’ demands, and promoting political stability as a key entry point to addressing the escalating crises.

Read the full report at this link