A construction worker climbs scaffolding without safety gear
September labeled ‘bloody month’ as worker deaths mount across Iraq
NEWSROOM — September 2025 was described as “a bloody month for workers” by the Peace and Freedom Organization, which reported that more than 10 workers lost their lives on the job in Kirkuk, Tuz Khurmatu, Sulaymaniyah, Erbil, and Zakho. Five of the victims were in Kirkuk.
The organization said its observers noted that most of the workers had taken on dangerous jobs out of necessity to provide for their families. It added that the causes of death were the same as in previous incidents, including falls from tall buildings, electrocution, and collapsing walls, with some victims under the age of 18.
The report said, “The main cause of these deaths is the lack of protective equipment and the absence of occupational health and safety standards in the workplace.”
It stressed that “the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region is responsible for protecting the lives of workers,” calling for greater pressure on employers to fully implement safety measures, punish violators, and provide compensation to the families of the victims.
