Private-Sector Employee
Equal pay for equal work is a legal guarantee, discrimination is a punishable offense, and maternity leave is a real paid right.
Iraqi Labour Law No. 37 of 2015 guarantees equal pay for work of equal value and equal opportunity to work without discrimination based on sex. Article 8 prohibits direct or indirect discrimination between workers in recruitment, training, or terms of employment, punishable by up to six months' imprisonment and/or a fine of 1,000,000 IQD. Maternity leave is at least 14 weeks of full pay per year (up to 8 weeks before the due date with a medical certificate, at least 6 weeks after birth), extendable up to 9 months for medical complications, plus an optional unpaid childcare leave of up to one year with the employer's consent.
Legal basis
Equal pay & anti-discrimination (Article 8, penalty up to 6 months imprisonment and/or 1,000,000 IQD fine); maternity leave ≥14 weeks full pay, extendable to 9 months for complications.
Iraqi Labour Law No. 37 of 2015 — Article 8 (anti-discrimination); maternity leave provisions
Source: Iraqi Labour Law No. 37 of 2015
Last verified: 13 Sept 2026
ℹ️ Information is provided from official laws, regulations and government publications and is intended for general guidance. Specific rights may depend on employment category, contract, profession and applicable regulations. Always check the latest official source for legal or administrative decisions.