Muhannad Y. Kh. The Impact of Local Legislation on Protecting Children from Informal Sector Labor in Iraq

Abstract

This study addresses the issue of informal child labor in the Iraqi private sector, aiming to assess the impact of local legislation on protecting this vulnerable group. The study indicates that the economic and social conditions Iraq has experienced have contributed to the exacerbation of this phenomenon, pushing large numbers of children into work in environments lacking government oversight and legal protection. The study relies on a critical analysis of the Iraqi legal framework related to child protection, such as the Labor Law and Personal Status Laws, in comparison with international conventions ratified by Iraq. The results reveal a significant gap between legal texts and their actual implementation on the ground. Although Iraqi legislation criminalizes child labor, weak enforcement mechanisms, lack of awareness, and monitoring challenges diminish its effectiveness and allow violations to persist. Therefore, the study indicates that legal protection for child labor in Iraq remains largely theoretical and insufficient to address the growing challenges in the informal private sector. The study offers several practical recommendations aimed at strengthening the legal framework, activating monitoring and inspection mechanisms, and increasing public awareness to guarantee children's rights and enable them to achieve a better future.