The Development of the Social Security System in Iraq (1958–1979): A Historical Study of Its Legislative Pathways
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.31185/lark.4295Abstract
The working class in Iraq suffered from deteriorating living conditions due to employer exploitation and government neglect. Social security emerged as a means to protect society from disintegration and corruption by preventing poverty and need through financial aid, while also promoting stability in social and human relations between the two sides of production. It aimed to provide security against work-related risks and to ensure income compensation in cases of unemployment, illness, disability, old age, or the loss of a family breadwinner due to death, as well as financial support for exceptional expenses such as childbirth, marriage, or death. This study focuses on the importance of social security for workers in Iraq’s social and political history, particularly in light of increasing labor demands during the 1930s for improved living conditions. The first legal step began with the enactment of the Labor Law in 1936, followed by the introduction of a social security system in 1956. However, implementation stalled until the July 14, 1958 Revolution, which gave special attention to the law’s execution. Interest in developing workers’ social security legislation continued despite changes in political regimes. A new law was enacted in 1964, reflecting the state's socialist vision, followed by another in 1971, aligned with the Ba'ath Party’s philosophy of politicizing the working class. Thus, the social security system evolved significantly between 1958 and 1979, covering various categories of workers through comprehensive stages. The system addressed a wide range of needs, both administratively and legally, to ensure the working class secured its rightful place socially and politically in Iraqi society.
References
First / published documents (government publications):
1- The Republic of Iraq, National Centre for Consulting and Administrative Development, General Decisions of the Revolutionary Command Council 1968-1977, Al-Ani Press, Volume I, Baghdad, 1978.
2- The Republic of Iraq, National Centre for Consulting and Administrative Development, General Decisions of the Revolutionary Command Council 1968-1977, Al-Ani Press, Second Volume, Baghdad, 1978.
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Second, letters and frames:
1- Amjad Khudair Rahim Mohammed Al-Douri, Industrial Development in Iraq 1958-1979 Historical Study, Unpublished Master's Thesis, Faculty of Education, Tikrit University, 2004.
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Fourth, newspapers and magazines:
A. Newspapers:
Tel Newspaper or newspaper
The number
1 The revolution
30
2 The Republic
544, 513
3 Public opinion
183
4 The voice of the workers
3, 6, 37, 40
5 The Iraqi events
3907, 279, 431, 1015, 1762, 402, 1931, 2549, 2584, 2630, 2636, 2652, 2705,
B. Magazines:
1- Ibrahim Khalil Ahmed Al-Alaf, History of
the Labour Movement in Iraq, Journal of Regional Studies Centre for Regional Studies, University of Mosul, Issue 25, Volume Eighth, 2012.
2- Haider Nizar Salman, the dissolved Revolutionary Command Council in Iraq for the year 1968, Establishment and Establishment (Historical Study), Literature Magazine, Supplement (1) Issue 130 (Ept), 2019 AD / 1441 AH.
3- Majid Salman Hussein, Labour Movement in Iraq: A Study in its Political Trends, Journal of Historical Studies, Nineteenth Issue, University of Basra - Faculty of Education for Girls, 2015.
4- Journal of Social and Criminal Research, Issue (1), March, 1970.
Fifth / Internet networks:
1- Ahmed Awad Al-Khuzai, article, Iraqi workers... Honourable history and unknown future, 2/May 2020: Kitabat@ kitabat.con.
2- United Nations Iraq, Press Release on March 26, 2023, https:Iraq.un.org United Nations in Iraq:
3- Thiyab Fahd Al-Tai, Article: From the history of labour journalism in Iraq, civilised dialogue, 2/5/ 2018.debat < https:www: ahewar. Org
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