What are the penalties for breaking occupational safety rules in Iraq?

Breaking the OSH provisions of Iraq's Labour Law No. 37 of 2015 is punishable by a fine of IQD 500,000 to 1,000,000 (Iraqi dinars) or imprisonment of one to six months (Article 125). In addition, the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs may close the premises or shut down machines after a warning, inspection committees may suspend work in serious danger, and civil and criminal liability apply after accidents.

Short answer

• OSH breaches (Chapter 13): fine of IQD 500,000 to 1,000,000, or imprisonment of 1 to 6 months (Article 125). The upper limit is garbled in the unofficial English translation; IQD 1,000,000 is the figure in the Arabic text as quoted in a 2025 Iraqi legal study.
• Closure: if OSH instructions are not applied after a warning, the Ministry may close the workplace or shut down machines until corrected, with full pay to affected workers (Article 122(3)).
• Suspension: in serious danger, inspection committees may suspend work wholly or partly or evacuate the workplace (Article 129(2)).
• Obstructing inspectors: imprisonment of at least one month, or a fine of IQD 100,000 to 500,000 (Article 135).
• Quarries and mines: imprisonment of 10 days to 3 months, or a fine of IQD 100,000 to 500,000 (Article 112).
• Amounts are those of the 2015 law; we found no later revaluation.

How enforcement works

Inspection committees, chaired by a labour inspector of the Ministry with employers' and workers' representatives, may enter any workplace without notice, question people, examine records, take samples and order changes within a set time (Articles 128 and 129). After each visit they write a report summarising violations and recommending legal action (Article 129(3)).

The Minister must warn the employer before referring it to the competent labour court; on the inspection committee's recommendation, the Ministry may refer the employer and file a criminal case (Article 134). The inspection report, with the inspector's attestation, is accepted as evidence unless the contrary is proved (Article 134(3)).

An Iraqi legal study published in 2025 argues that these penalties are too low to deter the violations seen today and recommends amending Article 125. For most employers, the larger consequences are closure, loss of contracts and liability after an accident.

Other liability

Compensation. For workers not insured with social security, the employer pays the social security administration 50% of the worker's wage for one year for partial disability, or 100% for one year where the injury causes disability or death (Article 124). Civil claims for damages may follow under general law.

Criminal liability. A fatal or serious accident caused by negligence may lead to prosecution of the responsible persons under the general criminal law, in addition to the Labour Law offence.

Environment. Where a breach also harms the environment, Law No. 27 of 2009 provides for warnings, temporary closure, fines and imprisonment, with doubled penalties for repeat offences (Articles 33 and 34).

Example: An inspection committee visits a block factory and finds unguarded mixer drives and no first aid. It orders guarding within a set period and records the violations. On the follow-up visit nothing has changed; the Ministry warns the employer, then shuts down the mixers until guards are fitted, and the workers are paid in full during the stoppage. On the committee's report the Ministry may also refer the employer to the labour court (Article 134), where the Article 125 penalty can be imposed.

Common mistakes

• Comparing only the fine amount: closure and suspension cost far more.
• Ignoring a written order from the inspection committee: non-compliance after a warning triggers closure.
• Refusing entry or delaying inspectors, which is a separate offence.

Related on excodex

• Occupational safety and health in Iraq: law, authorities and employer duties
• What is the main OSH law in Iraq and who enforces it?
• How and within what time must a workplace accident be reported in Iraq?

Standards and further reading

• Labour Law No. 37 of 2015 (قانون العمل رقم 37 لسنة 2015), Articles 112, 122, 124, 125, 128 to 135; unofficial English translation: alnoor.edu.iq. The Arabic text in Al-Waqai al-Iraqiya is authoritative.
• Al-Sharai'a Journal (via Iraqi Academic Scientific Journals), legal organisation of OSH rights under Labour Law No. 37 of 2015, quoting the Arabic text of Article 125 (2025): iasj.rdd.edu.iq
• Law No. 27 of 2009 on the Protection and Improvement of the Environment: faolex.fao.org

This article is general occupational safety and health information prepared by the excodex editorial team. It does not replace the applicable legislation, standards, manufacturers' instructions or the assessment of a competent OSH professional or occupational physician.