Iraq places ‘temporarily’ bans on work entry for Syrians, four South Asian nationalities

Iraq has announced a temporary ban on work entry for foreign nationals from Syria and four South Asian countries—Pakistan, Bangladesh, Indonesia, and the Philippines—to increase job opportunities for local workers, Rudaw reported. The decision, made by the interior ministry, will be enforced by the labor ministry, which will coordinate legal action against violators.

The exact duration of the ban remains unclear but is part of a broader government effort to prioritize domestic employment. This move follows recent crackdowns on illegal residency, including the arrest of 738 foreign workers in Baghdad in March for violating residency rules. Many Syrians were detained and deported during raids on homes and workplaces amid these enforcement campaigns.

Human rights organizations have criticized Iraq’s handling of deportations. According to the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), Iraq hosts over 300,000 refugees and asylum-seekers, with Syrians comprising about 90 percent. Human Rights Watch reported that some Syrians with valid residence permits and UNHCR registration were still facing deportation, raising concerns over due process and refugee protections.