Step Organization

The initiative was carried out in close coordination with the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs, the Social Security Directorates in the targeted governorates, workers’ unions, and the University of Duhok.

The project targeted private sector workers, employers, decision-makers, university students, and the general public through a variety of religious, cultural, youth, artistic, media, and community-based activities.

Number of beneficiaries: Approximately 27,000 direct and indirect beneficiaries (male and female) were reached.

This project was developed in response to the low level of awareness of the Social Security Law among workers in the Kurdistan Region. This lack of awareness often results in large segments of workers being deprived of social protection, pension rights, and insurance benefits.

The project was launched in response to the need to:

Increase workers’ legal awareness of their rights and obligations.

Promote a culture of legal compliance among employers.

Support government efforts to expand social security coverage.

Project Objectives: The overall objective of the project is to enhance community awareness of the Social Security Law and workers’ rights in the targeted governorates.

Specific objectives:

Increase workers’ knowledge of their legal rights and obligations.

Encourage employers to register workers in the social security system.

Engage decision-makers and community leaders in supporting the implementation of the law.

Partnerships:

Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs

Social Security Directorates

Workers’ Unions

University of Duhok

Project Activities and Events

Activity 1: Participation in the 56th Anniversary Festival of Duhok Governorate: STEP participated in the official festival marking the 56th anniversary of the establishment of Duhok Governorate, organized in coordination with the General Directorate of Culture and Arts. The organization set up an awareness booth dedicated to introducing the Social Security Law for workers, leveraging this large public event as a strategic opportunity for outreach. The festival brought together workers, employers, government employees, youth, families, and media representatives on a widely attended platform.

Activity 2: Awareness Campaign through Friday Sermons and Engagement of Religious Leaders: Recognizing the influential role of religious leaders in shaping public awareness, STEP collaborated with the Directorate of Endowments in Duhok to integrate awareness messages about social security into Friday sermons. Coordination meetings were held with several imams to provide them with simplified informational materials on the Social Security Law, emphasizing its alignment with principles of justice, dignity, workers’ rights, and social protection. Awareness leaflets were also distributed after prayers at mosque exits by volunteers. Additionally, a dedicated orientation session was organized for 12 religious leaders to enhance their understanding of the law and enable them to respond to citizens’ inquiries.

Activity 3: Awareness Session in Sharya IDP Camp: This activity targeted internally displaced persons (IDPs), particularly informal workers and women engaged in domestic or daily labor. A simplified presentation was delivered by a representative from the Social Security Directorate explaining registration requirements and long-term benefits. A real-life success story was also presented, highlighting a private sector worker who received a pension after registering in the social security system.

Activity 4: Fourth Youth Festival – University of Duhok: Held in conjunction with International Youth Day, this activity focused on linking social security awareness with youth readiness to enter the labor market. A short theatrical performance illustrated the difference between registered and unregistered workers, alongside an infographic video explaining key provisions of the law.

Activity 5: Open Awareness Event on World Music Day: This activity combined art with legal awareness through live musical performances that attracted audiences. Short videos were displayed on large screens in public spaces in Duhok city center, in addition to distributing awareness brochures on workers’ rights and social security.

Activity 6: Art Competition – Bagi Shar Park, Erbil: Twenty artists participated in creating live paintings reflecting themes such as workers’ dignity, social protection, retirement security, and labor rights. An exhibition was held at Bagi Shar Park in Erbil city center. The activity also included a street theatre performance, distribution of awareness materials, and presentation of a success story of a retired, insured private sector worker.

Activity 7: Participation in the National Entrepreneurship Summit in Sulaymaniyah: This activity targeted entrepreneurs and small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) owners. A dedicated booth was set up to present and distribute awareness materials. The activity also included a workshop featuring presentations from: Workers’ Union, Social Security Directorate, STEP Organization for Democracy and Elections

Activity 8: Short Video Production Competition on the Social Security Law: Youth and content creators were engaged to disseminate awareness messages عبر social media platforms. All videos were published on the organization’s pages to reach a wider audience.

Activity 9: Awareness Campaign during the Yazidi Fasting Festival – Khanke, Semel District, Duhok Governorate: To deliver awareness messages during an important religious and cultural occasion, STEP distributed informational leaflets to all participants in the event.

Activity 10: Awareness Campaign during Christmas Celebrations: Awareness materials were distributed to all attendees, aiming to ensure inclusivity of all religious communities within the campaign.

Activity 11: Job Fair – University of Duhok 2026: The event linked employment opportunities with compliance with social security. A total of 72 companies participated, offering 150 job opportunities. A memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed to enhance cooperation in promoting social security awareness employment services.

Activity 12: Final Mini-Conference of the Project: In the presence of the Deputy Minister of Labour and Social Affairs in the Kurdistan Region, a closing conference was held consisting of three sessions, the first session was delivered by the Director of the Social Security Directorate for Workers in Duhok, focusing on key benefits provided by the law such as pensions, work injury compensation, maternity leave, and disability coverage. The second session was delivered by the Head of the Workers’ Union in Duhok, addressing the union’s role and institutional challenges in protecting workers’ rights and promoting compliance. And the third session was delivered by the Deputy Director of STEP, presenting the project’s objectives, activities, and key results in raising awareness of the Social Security Law.