"Deadly Deliveries" Investigation Pushes Iraqi Government to Adopt 17 Measures to Protect Delivery Drivers

ARIJ’s investigative report ‘Deadly Deliveries: The Hidden Face of Delivery Companies in Iraq’ became a turning point in how authorities address the delivery sector in Iraq.

One month after the investigation’s release, Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ Al Sudani met at his office with journalist Hassan Al-Shanoun, along with a group of delivery drivers. After hearing firsthand about their experiences and hardships, he directed the adoption of a comprehensive set of regulatory and legislative measures.

The investigation, produced by ARIJ in partnership with Jummar and published across several Arab platforms, exposed major gaps in the work environment—most notably the absence of legal protections for drivers, unfair contracts, denial of social security and health insurance, and the lack of compensation for accident victims despite the high-risk nature of the job. These findings sounded the alarm, prompting the government in Baghdad to take action to secure the rights of tens of thousands of workers in this sector.

17 Government Measures

Al Sudani’s directives came as a direct response to the investigation’s revelations and were set out as follows:

1- Form a high-level government committee chaired by a Prime Minister’s advisor, including representatives from relevant ministries, to develop a comprehensive framework for workers’ rights and root solutions to their issues.
2- Establish an association or union for delivery drivers to oversee their affairs and represent them before government entities.
3- Draft an amendment to the Labor Law defining delivery drivers’ work legally and clarifying their contractual relationship with companies.
4- Include digital and flexible work under legal protection, covering workers on apps and online platforms.
5- Require Ministry of Labor inspection teams to conduct urgent visits to companies in the sector and review contracts and worker conditions.
6- Require the Ministry of Trade and the General Post Company not to grant or renew company licenses unless proof of social security and health registration for all employees is provided.
7- Enroll delivery drivers in social security and health insurance and include them in the Ministry of Labor’s official programs.
8- Launch a government platform via the “UR” portal to register workers, document their data, and protect their rights.
9- Provide free legal support to affected drivers through labor courts and legal aid centers.
10- Open a direct complaints line at the Ministry of Labor for immediate handling of violations.
11- Require companies to sign official contracts with drivers under the supervision and approval of the Ministry of Labor.
12- Provide personal safety equipment to all workers in the delivery service.
13- Oblige companies to publish clear wage and deduction policies on their apps and platforms, and pay compensation to accident victims during work.
14- Set delivery fees per order according to distance and time to ensure fair income for drivers.
15- Organize working hours, leaves, provide occupational safety conditions, and include retirement guarantees in contracts.
16- Issue QR-coded ID cards for each driver to facilitate official dealings and protect them from security violations.
17- Simplify bike registration procedures, reduce fees, and set maximum speed limits for drivers to ensure public safety.