Restoring Integrity: Strengthening Iraq's Social Welfare System for Human Rights and Rule of Law in Election Periods

Social Welfare.. An electoral reservoir and a black hole that devours Iraq's money without job opportunities!

The social welfare file in Iraq has turned into a hotbed of favoritism, draining resources, fraud and manipulation, instead of protecting vulnerable and weak groups. It has also become a political tool - according to observers - and an electoral reservoir for some parties, active during election seasons.

Since 2003, Iraq has witnessed major political and economic changes, and despite the presence of huge oil resources, the poverty rate has increased, as many families suffer from unemployment and destitution, where social protection programs have been established that aim to provide financial assistance to families with limited income.

Iraq provides financial salaries and monthly aid to the unemployed, widows and orphans, noting that one salary does not exceed 180 thousand Iraqi dinars (about 120 US dollars), an amount that does not cover the living of any Iraqi for a week, which means that government aid is not enough.

Every now and then, the relevant agencies announce the detection of cases of corruption or suspicions in this file, which raises questions about the measures taken, and whether they are in line with the approved standards, or whether political forces have begun to interfere in this file in a blatant manner.

In the latest recorded cases, the Federal Integrity Commission announced that it had monitored about 250,000 violators from heads and family members of employees of ministries on the social protection system in Baghdad and the governorates.

A statement by the Government Media and Communications Office stated that a team formed in the Prevention Department visited the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs and monitored (2167) violators of the social protection system in Baghdad during the year 2023, while the number of violators from heads and family members of employees of ministries and departments reached (242,820) individuals.

Political Interventions

Specialists and human rights activists monitor the frequent interference of political forces in aid distribution mechanisms. Instead of these programs being open to everyone, they are used as a tool of influence, as some political entities rely on employing social protection as a means to attract voters, which leads to granting aid to unqualified people, or even distributing it selectively according to political loyalties.

Social researcher Mona Al-Amri believes that “this deepens the gap between deserving and deprived groups, and leads to the spread of corruption, as beneficiary numbers are manipulated and lists are inflated. This was evident through many complaints related to the misuse of aid, as public money is exploited to finance fictitious projects or to achieve private gains. There is also weakness in evaluation and monitoring mechanisms, which makes it difficult to monitor these violations and punish those responsible for them.”

Al-Amiri added to (BasNews), "What makes matters worse is that the Ministry of Labor did not invest enough in creating real job opportunities. Instead of providing actual support for unemployment, the focus was on cash assistance only. Although this assistance may be necessary in the short term, it does not solve the fundamental problem of the lack of job opportunities, as Iraq needs a long-term strategy that includes enhancing education and vocational training."

"Popular" fraud

The welfare file has turned into a wide door for fraud, as many practice deception and misleading the authorities by showing poverty to social researchers. It was recently revealed that there are 15,000 divorced and widowed women who hide their marriage for the purpose of salary, which gives a clear picture of what is happening.

During the recent search campaign launched by the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs, the protection included more than 900 thousand people, and this is happening for the first time and within one year, thus the total number of those covered by protection salaries rose to 7 million and 600 thousand individuals, and their total salaries reach 4 trillion and 717 billion dinars annually, which is a qualitative leap in the level of amounts spent on social protection assistance.

Political and economic will

Experts believe that addressing the issue of social protection requires real will at the economic and political levels, but in light of the rampant corruption and complex environment, this seems out of reach.

Ansam Salman, a member of the feminist organization “Rights”, believes that “the care file needs to be organized more, as investment projects must be provided with these amounts granted to the unemployed, widows or orphans, in a way that ensures their employment and education in important crafts, in addition to keeping them busy and not leaving them with an opportunity for idleness, especially the youth category.”

She added to (BasNews), "Resorting to the easy method of distributing the amounts monthly, instead of draining resources, is not useful, considering that thousands are seeking to enter the protection program, and it does not benefit society, as these enormous human resources must be exploited and employed in appropriate projects." Observers warn against investing this file electorally, for example, during the provincial council elections, candidates invested heavily in it, by requesting "files" from citizens wishing to register for protection and promising them that, with the aim of electing them.

Social Welfare: A Legal and Human Rights Perspective

The social welfare system in Iraq has become a complex issue, marred by favoritism, corruption, and political manipulation, rather than serving its intended purpose of protecting the most vulnerable members of society. This situation undermines the principles of rule of law and human rights, as the system is increasingly used as a political tool, particularly during election periods.

Since 2003, Iraq has undergone significant political and economic shifts. Despite vast oil resources, the poverty rate has surged, leaving many families in dire straits. Social protection programs were established to assist those with limited incomes, yet the financial aid provided—capped at 180,000 Iraqi dinars (approximately 120 US dollars)—is insufficient to cover even a week’s basic living expenses. This highlights a critical gap in the government’s ability to support its citizens adequately.

### Corruption and Mismanagement

Regular reports of corruption within the social welfare system raise concerns about the integrity of the processes involved. The Federal Integrity Commission recently identified approximately 250,000 violations related to the social protection system, revealing a troubling trend of misuse and exploitation of public funds. Such findings call into question whether existing measures align with established standards or if political interference has compromised the system.

Political interventions further exacerbate the issue. Aid distribution mechanisms are often manipulated by political entities to secure votes, leading to biased allocation of resources. This practice not only deepens the divide between deserving and deprived groups but also fosters a culture of corruption where beneficiary lists are inflated and manipulated.

Addressing the Root Causes

Experts argue that the Ministry of Labor must shift its focus from merely providing cash assistance to creating sustainable job opportunities. While immediate financial aid may alleviate short-term suffering, it does not address the underlying issues of unemployment and economic instability. A comprehensive strategy is needed, one that emphasizes education, vocational training, and job creation.

Solutions and Recommendations

1. Strengthening Oversight Mechanisms: Establish independent oversight bodies to monitor the distribution of social welfare aid. Transparency and accountability must be prioritized to prevent corruption and ensure that resources reach those in need.

2. Implementing Fair Distribution Practices: Develop criteria for aid distribution that are based on need rather than political affiliation. This can help ensure that assistance reaches the most vulnerable populations without bias.

3. Investing in Job Creation: Redirect funds from cash assistance programs to initiatives that create real employment opportunities. This includes vocational training programs that equip citizens with skills relevant to the job market.

4. Enhancing Education and Training: Implement long-term strategies that focus on improving educational outcomes and providing vocational training. This will empower individuals to secure stable employment and contribute to the economy.

5. Community Engagement: Involve local communities in the decision-making process regarding social welfare programs. This grassroots approach can help identify needs more accurately and foster a sense of ownership among beneficiaries.

6. Legal Framework Improvement: Strengthen the legal framework surrounding social welfare to protect against fraud and abuse. Clear regulations and enforcement mechanisms will help uphold the rights of vulnerable populations.

The challenges facing Iraq's social welfare system are significant, but they are not insurmountable. By prioritizing transparency, accountability, and sustainable development, Iraq can transform its social welfare programs into effective mechanisms that genuinely support its citizens. A commitment to rule of law and human rights is essential for creating a fair and just society where all individuals have the opportunity to thrive.