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Is there unemployment support?

Kurdistan Region

Yes. An insured worker who loses their job: at least two years of unemployment-insurance payments; up to six months; an amount equal to the social protection allowance; at most three times.

  • Kurdistan Law No. 4 of 2012 (Kurdish text) · Art. 10

Federal Iraq

After 24 monthly contributions, 3 months. After 48, 6 months.

  • Retirement and Social Security for Workers Law No. 18 of 2023 · Art. 64/1

The law

The Kurdistan Region has no labour law of its own, so it still applies Iraqi Labour Law No. 71 of 1987. Federal Iraq has applied the newer Labour Law No. 37 since 2015.

Kurdistan RegionKurdistan Law No. 4 of 2012 (Kurdish text)· Art. 10Official text
یه‌كه‌م: ده‌بێ پێدانی بیمه‌ی بێكاری بۆ ماوه‌یه‌ك بێت كه‌ له‌ (دوو ساڵ) كه‌متر نه‌بێت. دووه‌م: بیمه‌دار له‌ ماوه‌ی بێكاریدا و بۆ ماوه‌یه‌ك كه‌ له‌ (شه‌ش مانگ) زیاتر نه‌بێت، بڕه‌ پاره‌یه‌كی یه‌كسان به‌ كۆمه‌كی پاراستنی كۆمه‌ڵایه‌تی وه‌رده‌گرێت به‌ مه‌رجێك له‌ (سێ) جار تێنه‌په‌ڕێنێت.
Federal IraqRetirement and Social Security for Workers Law No. 18 of 2023· Art. 64/1Official text
لمدة (٣) ثلاثة أشهر إذا كان عدد اشتراكاته بهذا الضمان لا يقل عن (٢٤) أربعة وعشرين اشتراكاً

This is general information, not legal advice. It is for private-sector workers only, not government employees. It is written from the official texts of the laws named with each answer, checked on Oct 15, 2026. If anything differs, the official text of the law decides. For your own situation, speak to a lawyer or the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs.

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