Iraq’s labor ministry launches initiative for free national ID cards

BAGHDAD — The Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs announced Wednesday the launch of the Iraq is My Identitys ervice, which offers free unified national identity cards to those under the social protection system.

The social protection system in Iraq aims to support vulnerable and low-income populations through financial aid, pension and retirement benefits, support for persons with disabilities, unemployment assistance, child protection programs, and healthcare support.

Ahmed Al-Mousawi, the leader of the Social Protection Authority, shared, “This service is designed to provide national identity cards at no cost to recipients of the social protection salary and their children, specifically targeting individuals who lack a national identity card.” He added that names would be released in groups.

Al-Mousawi further detailed that eligible individuals could visit the civil status departments in Al-Azamiyah and Al-Rusafa between 3-5 PM, except on Fridays and Saturdays, starting from Sunday, March 10, 2024. He encouraged families listed in the initial release to visit the social protection departments for a form and review at the civil status directorate departments. Led and monitored by Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani, this initiative aims to aid low-income families, in line with the government’s program priorities.