KRG enlists over 144,000 workers for insurance

ERBIL, January 7 – The Kurdistan Regional Government’s (KRG) Media and Information Office has announced the enlistment of over 144,000 workers in the insurance process, with recruitment efforts still underway.

Under the current legal framework, the retirement age for men is set at 60 years with 20 years of service, whereas for women, it is 55 years with the same duration of service. Mariwan Bagok Aziz, the Director General of Labor and Social Insurance, highlighted the legal requirement for project owners to register their workers for insurance.

The insurance scheme is funded by contributions from both workers and employers. It involves a 5% deduction from the worker’s salary and a 12% contribution from the project owner’s income, which are allocated to the pension fund. This arrangement ensures that workers receive their pensions upon reaching the stipulated retirement age.

Furthermore, Aziz emphasized the importance of fair wages, stating that no worker should be paid less than 350,000 dinars. He also issued a stern warning against employers who attempt to evade these regulations by withholding information or discouraging workers, noting that such actions are subject to penalties.