The Iraqi Syndicate of Engineers Addresses Key Challenges in the Workforce
The Iraqi Syndicate of Engineers has highlighted significant challenges facing Iraqi professionals, urging the Baghdad government and local authorities to offer their support. The syndicate also discussed a strategic plan concerning the Iraqi oil sector, which currently faces setbacks due to various initiatives and operational frameworks that function independently from national oversight.
Zulfiqar Al-Maksousi, a representative of the Syndicate, emphasized the undervaluation of engineers within both the public and private sectors. Despite their pivotal role in the country’s reconstruction efforts, engineers report facing inequitable treatment and numerous hardships, including blackmail, threats, and undue pressure. Al-Maksousi called on the authorities in Baghdad and across provincial governments to address these injustices.
The syndicate pointed out that numerous international firms are operating within Iraq, where approximately 90% to 95% of their workforce comprises Iraqi nationals. Given this, the question arises: why are contracts primarily awarded to foreign entities instead of local engineers? Al-Maksousi asserted that Iraqi engineers possess remarkable accomplishments and skills that have been demonstrated across various global contexts.
Furthermore, Al-Maksousi criticized the Ministry of Planning for facilitating the establishment of numerous private colleges and departments without adequately involving the Syndicate’s expertise in evaluating the availability and qualifications of engineers. There have been repeated attempts to engage the Ministry on the importance of basing decisions on their assessments regarding the competencies and specialties required in the engineering field, but these efforts have largely gone unacknowledged.
Concerns were also raised about the standard of some civil engineering programs, which Al-Maksousi described as failing to meet acceptable academic criteria. In contrast, there exist institutions that perform at a level surpassing many governmental colleges. Moreover, the Syndicate has noted that holders of certain academic certificates are not recognized as engineers until their qualifications are rigorously evaluated and validated through testing, particularly for those who have studied abroad.
In response to these challenges, the Engineers Syndicate has initiated collaboration with private sector companies to create job opportunities for its members, operating independently from government initiatives. Particularly within the oil sector, the Syndicate has expressed concern that the country’s interests in this vital field are often overlooked. As it stands, employment offices appear to function autonomously, lacking the necessary regulatory oversight from the Ministry of Oil or the Ministry of Labor.
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