Reality Bites: Unemployed Iraqi Youth and the ‘Graduate Revolution’

18/09/2019
710 3 minutes read

Mustafa Habeeb

 

Iraqi graduates and students have been protesting outside government offices for weeks now, demanding jobs. Unfortunately economic reality stands in their way of their demands.                   

Every day Mazin Abdel-Jaber and his fellow students have been standing in front of the Iraqi Ministry of Health headquarters in Baghdad, holding banners. All of them are science graduates and they are demanding that the government give them a job.

“I graduated in 2011 and so far, I haven’t been able to get a good job,” Abdel-Jaber says. “Instead, over the past eight years, I’ve been doing work totally unconnected to my degree. I’m not happy,” he added.

Abdel-Jaber and his fellow graduates demonstrate outside this ministry because they believe it comes closest  to the field in which they might be able to establish a career. The same demonstrations are being held all over the city, by other graduates outside other ministries, ones that are more relevant to their fields of study. For example, last week engineering graduates held a protest outside the headquarters of an oil company.

The United Nations says that unemployment in Iraq sits at around 11 percent but among younger Iraqis – those aged 15 to 24 –  it is thought to be much higher, around 18 percent. Iraq is one of the youngest countries in the world – and every year there are more graduates adding to those percentages, about 40,000 annually.

The graduates and students have taken to calling their protests, the “graduates’ revolution” and have also been very active on social media. The protestors involved often post on the Twitter timelines of the officials they are pursuing, trying to embarrass them into action. They have also run a number of well-organised and effective online campaigns, involving hash tags that attract other Iraqis’ attention. For example, they started to use words that hark back to the semi-official Shiite Muslim militias, formerly volunteers but now a powerful part of Iraq’s security forces.

Back in real life, as the office staff go past the protesting students, they seem unsure as to how to deal with their young country people. The Iraqi government seems to share that confusion. Almost 60 percent of all Iraqi jobs are provided by the government and this year it tried to provide more employment opportunities, to try and relieve some of the pressure of youth employment. They created a further 60,000 new positions – but this isn’t enough to cater for past and present graduates.

Additionally many of the open positions are never filled by the intended beneficiaries. Thanks to cronyism, nepotism and corruption, other Iraqis take the jobs up – for example, some of the jobs are “sold” for thousands of dollars.

Students have spoken up about this. Rumour has it that one influential senior official was “selling” jobs for US$25,000. Another student complained that he had been swindled – he paid US$3,000 for a job but never got it.

Nonetheless the graduates hold out hope that they may find gainful employment befitting their qualifications, and many believe that this ongoing pressure by protest will eventually help them.

Unfortunately for them, economic reality would seem to suggest otherwise. It is nigh on impossible for the Iraqi government to provide as many jobs as are required. The cost of reconstruction and several expensive years fighting the extremist group known as the Islamic State is high: The government simply cannot afford to employ all of Iraq’s graduates.

Iraq doesn’t have much of a private sector – much of its economy is dependent on oil revenues and how the government disburses them.

The government recently took steps toward strengthening the private sector in Iraq, by instituting more protectionist policies, particularly around agriculture.

“The private sector is key to solving the problem of unemployment,” says local economist Bassem Jamil Anton. “The government cannot provide jobs for everyone. But the problem is that the private sector has a lot of major challenges  to overcome. Some of these are related to Iraqi bureaucracy and corruption, because a lot of the private sector companies are actually closely affiliated with political parties,” he points out.

 

18/09/2019
710 3 minutes read

Related Articles

Photo of GRAND DESIGNS ON HOME DELIVERY: Basra’s improved security makes big business plans possible for local women

GRAND DESIGNS ON HOME DELIVERY: Basra’s improved security makes big business plans possible for local women

10/04/2024
Photo of FEMALE STREETFOOD VENDOR: ‘Chickpeas made me an independent woman’

FEMALE STREETFOOD VENDOR: ‘Chickpeas made me an independent woman’

29/03/2024
Photo of The fall of Baghdad, and a friendship forged

The fall of Baghdad, and a friendship forged

09/04/2023
Photo of In Nasiriyah, memories of US invasion of Iraq still strong

In Nasiriyah, memories of US invasion of Iraq still strong

09/04/2023

231 Comments

  1. I blog quite often and I truly appreciate your information.
    This great article has really peaked my interest. I’m going to bookmark your website and keep
    checking for new details about once a week. I opted in for your Feed as well.

  3. I really like what you guys tend to be up too.
    Such clever work and reporting! Keep up the great works guys I’ve included you guys to our blogroll.

  5. I always emailed this web site post page to all my
    associates, as if like to read it then my contacts will too.

  6. I visited multiple web sites except the audio quality for audio
    songs present at this web site is in fact marvelous.

  8. It’s a pity you don’t have a donate button! I’d certainly donate to this fantastic blog!
    I suppose for now i’ll settle for book-marking and adding your RSS feed to my Google account.
    I look forward to fresh updates and will talk about
    this blog with my Facebook group. Talk soon!

  22. I’ve been browsing on-line greater than three hours as of late, yet I by no means discovered any fascinating article like yours.
    It’s beautiful value sufficient for me. Personally, if all web owners and bloggers made good content as you probably did,
    the web shall be a lot more useful than ever before.
    cheap flights http://1704milesapart.tumblr.com/ cheap flights

  24. Undeniably believe that which you stated. Your favorite reason appeared to be
    on the internet the simplest thing to be aware of. I say
    to you, I definitely get annoyed while people think about
    worries that they plainly don’t know about. You managed to hit the nail upon the top and defined out
    the whole thing without having side effect , people can take
    a signal. Will likely be back to get more. Thanks quest bars https://www.iherb.com/search?kw=quest%20bars quest bars

  37. I will right away seize your rss feed as I can’t in finding your e-mail subscription link or e-newsletter service.
    Do you’ve any? Kindly let me understand in order that I may just subscribe.
    Thanks.

  44. wonderful points altogether, you just gained a logo new reader.
    What could you suggest in regards to your submit that you simply made some days in the
    past? Any certain?

  45. You could definitely see your expertise in the article you write.
    The sector hopes for even more passionate writers such as you who are not
    afraid to mention how they believe. All the time follow your heart.

  63. I got this website from my buddy who informed me regarding this
    site and at the moment this time I am visiting this web site and reading very informative content here.

  72. My programmer is trying to persuade me to move
    to .net from PHP. I have always disliked the idea because of the costs.
    But he’s tryiong none the less. I’ve been using Movable-type
    on various websites for about a year and am nervous about
    switching to another platform. I have heard very good things about
    blogengine.net. Is there a way I can transfer all my wordpress
    content into it? Any kind of help would be really appreciated!

  81. That’s a big risk in angry and divided Britain 2021-05-14New York Yankees say 8 vaccinated members tested positive for Covid-19. Here’s how that could happen 2021-05-14Let’s talk about the crown 2021-05-14Two arrests made during fan protests outside Old Trafford as Liverpool beats Manchester United 2021-05-14Prince Harry says growing up as a royal was like being in a zoo 2021-05-14Petition against Tokyo Olympics with 350,000 signatures submitted to organizers 2021-05-13Boris Johnson is ‘anxious’ as Covid-19 variant found in India spreads in UK 2021-05-13Ex-English National Ballet dancer found guilty of sexual assaults 2021-05-13Olympic sponsor Toyota ‘concerned’ by growing public frustration over hosting Games 2021-05-13Players affected by tear gas in Colombia 2021-05-13UFC superstar Conor McGregor tops Forbes’ sport rich list for 2021 2021-05-13UEFA Champions League final moved from Istanbul to Porto amid travel restrictions 2021-05-13Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is proud of NBA’s new social justice champion award, but worries US still faces ‘the same issues’ 2021-05-12Mo Salah’s ‘killing of innocent people’ tweet prompts comments on what he doesn’t say 2021-05-12An Australian destroyer arrived in San Diego with 2 dead endangered whales stuck to its hull 2021-05-12The ‘Butcher of Bosnia’ Radovan Karadzic will serve his genocide sentence in a UK prison 2021-05-12Manchester City wins Premier League title in an ‘insane’ season for Pep Guardiola’s team 2021-05-12Mo Salah’s ‘killing of innocent people’ tweet prompts comments on what he doesn’t say 2021-05-12Boris Johnson echoes Republicans with voter ID push. But election fraud is still rare on either side of the Atlantic 2021-05-12Sporting Lisbon’s bittersweet title win after 19 years of hurt 2021-05-11Here’s what’s next after Kentucky Derby winner Medina Spirit failed a postrace drug test 2021-05-11Russell Westbrook breaks the NBA record for triple-doubles, surpassing Oscar Robertson 2021-05-11Tim Tebow reportedly expected to sign with Jacksonville Jaguars to play different position 2021-05-11German priests defy Vatican ban and bless same-sex unions 2021-05-11Australia immigration detainees dig tunnel in failed escape plot 2021-05-11Top women’s league in Finland donates sport hijabs to any player who wants one 2021-05-11Scottish National Party promise independence referendum after election win 2021-05-11Manchester City wins English Premier League title after Manchester United lose 2021-05-11The Queen opens UK Parliament in her first major event since Philip’s death 2021-05-11Japanese government adviser sparks ire with tweet laughing off calls for Olympic cancellation 2021-05-11What’s in a name?

  82. Hi there! I know this is kind of off topic but I was wondering if you knew where I
    could find a captcha plugin for my comment form?
    I’m using the same blog platform as yours and I’m having difficulty finding one?
    Thanks a lot!

  83. Thanks for a marvelous posting! I seriously enjoyed reading it, you might be
    a great author. I will always bookmark your blog and may come back
    from now on. I want to encourage yourself to continue your great work, have a nice afternoon!

  87. Hi there! I just wanted to ask if you ever have any issues
    with hackers? My last blog (wordpress) was hacked and
    I ended up losing months of hard work due to no back up. Do you have any methods to
    prevent hackers?

  91. I have been surfing online more than 3 hours today, yet I never found any
    interesting article like yours. It is pretty worth enough for
    me. In my opinion, if all webmasters and bloggers made good content as you did, the net will
    be much more useful than ever before.

  93. Hi there, I discovered your website via Google even as searching for a similar topic, your web site got here up,
    it appears to be like great. I have bookmarked it in my google bookmarks.

    Hi there, simply changed into alert to your blog via Google, and
    found that it is truly informative. I am gonna be careful for brussels.
    I will be grateful if you happen to proceed
    this in future. A lot of other people will probably be benefited out of your writing.

    Cheers!

  94. With havin so much content do you ever run into any issues of plagorism or copyright infringement?
    My site has a lot of completely unique content I’ve either
    written myself or outsourced but it appears a lot of it is popping it up all over the web without my authorization. Do you know any methods to help stop content from being
    stolen? I’d definitely appreciate it.

  97. Its not my first time to visit this website, i
    am browsing this web page dailly and take pleasant information from
    here every day.

  124. We stumbled over here from a different website and thought
    I might check things out. I like what I see so i
    am just following you. Look forward to looking over your web page for a
    second time.

  156. Thanks for finally writing about > Reality Bites: Unemployed Iraqi Youth and the ‘Graduate Revolution’ – Al
    Menasa < Liked it!

  157. Ahaa, its nice discussion concerning this article here at
    this web site, I have read all that, so at this time me also commenting here.

  159. Your mode of telling everything in this article is actually nice, all be capable of simply understand it,
    Thanks a lot.

  160. Hi! Do you use Twitter? I’d like to follow you if that would be okay.
    I’m definitely enjoying your blog and look forward to new posts.

  163. Aw, this was a really good post. Taking a few minutes and actual effort to create a
    very good article… but what can I say… I hesitate a whole lot and don’t manage to get anything done.

  166. Ahaa, its nice conversation concerning this article at
    this place at this webpage, I have read all that, so at this
    time me also commenting at this place.

  167. I would like to thank you for the efforts you’ve put in writing this site.
    I am hoping to see the same high-grade blog posts from
    you in the future as well. In fact, your creative
    writing abilities has inspired me to get my own, personal website now 😉

  168. I have read several good stuff here. Definitely price bookmarking for revisiting.
    I surprise how much attempt you put to make this kind of great informative web site.

  169. Woah! I’m really digging the template/theme of this site.
    It’s simple, yet effective. A lot of times it’s very difficult to get
    that “perfect balance” between superb usability and visual
    appearance. I must say you’ve done a very good job with this.
    Also, the blog loads very quick for me on Internet explorer.
    Outstanding Blog!

    Take a look at my web site; raycon

  170. Generally I do not learn article on blogs,
    but I wish to say that this write-up very forced me to check out and do it!

    Your writing style has been surprised me.
    Thanks, quite great article.

  171. That is very fascinating, You are an excessively professional blogger.
    I’ve joined your feed and stay up for in search of extra of your magnificent post.

    Additionally, I have shared your website in my social networks

  173. After going over a handful of the articles on your blog, I honestly appreciate your way of writing a blog.
    I book-marked it to my bookmark website list and will be checking back in the near future.
    Please check out my web site too and let me know how you feel.

  175. There are some fascinating closing dates in this article however I don’t know if I see all of them middle to heart. There may be some validity however I will take hold opinion until I look into it further. Good article , thanks and we want more! Added to FeedBurner as properly

  176. Hi! Do you use Twitter? I’d like to follow you if that would be okay. I’m definitely enjoying your blog and look forward to new posts.

  177. You need to take part in a contest for one of the highest quality sites on the
    net. I’m going to recommend this website!

    Feel free to surf to my web blog – special

  179. An interesting discussion is definitely worth comment. I do believe that you need to publish more about this issue, it may not be a taboo matter but generally people don’t discuss these subjects. To the next! Best wishes!!

  180. Hello I am so happy I found your site, I really found you by error, while I was searching on Askjeeve for something else, Anyways I am here now and would just like to say thanks for a
    marvelous post and a all round interesting blog (I also love the theme/design),
    I don’t have time to read it all at the moment but I have bookmarked it and also included your RSS feeds, so when I have time I will be back to read a lot more, Please
    do keep up the fantastic b.

    my blog – tracfone special coupon 2022

  181. Admiring the hard work you put into your blog and detailed information you present. It’s great to come across a blog every once in a while that isn’t the same old rehashed information. Wonderful read! I’ve bookmarked your site and I’m adding your RSS feeds to my Google account.

  182. I’m curious to find out what blog platform you’re utilizing? I’m having some small security problems with my latest site and I’d like to find something more safeguarded. Do you have any suggestions?

  183. I am just commenting to make you understand what a really good experience my cousin’s daughter enjoyed going through your web site. She noticed a wide variety of details, not to mention what it is like to possess a very effective teaching mindset to get the rest clearly learn several hard to do issues. You actually exceeded our expected results. I appreciate you for distributing those productive, trustworthy, revealing and cool guidance on that topic to Janet.

  184. I together with my buddies have already been reading the best points found on your web page then the sudden came up with a terrible suspicion I had not expressed respect to the website owner for them. These boys ended up for this reason joyful to read all of them and have pretty much been making the most of them. We appreciate you turning out to be well considerate and also for picking variety of good issues most people are really wanting to learn about. My very own honest regret for not expressing gratitude to sooner.

  185. Hey there! Someone in my Facebook group shared this website with us so I came to look it over. I’m definitely enjoying the information. I’m book-marking and will be tweeting this to my followers! Superb blog and fantastic design and style.

  186. Does your blog have a contact page? I’m having trouble locating it but, I’d like to send you an email. I’ve got some suggestions for your blog you might be interested in hearing. Either way, great site and I look forward to seeing it grow over time.

  187. Hi there! This is my first visit to your blog! We are a group of volunteers and starting a new project in a community in the same niche. Your blog provided us valuable information to work on. You have done a wonderful job!

  188. Hello! I know this is kinda off topic but I was wondering if you knew where I could find a captcha plugin for my comment form? I’m using the same blog platform as yours and I’m having problems finding one? Thanks a lot!

  189. My wife and i got satisfied Michael managed to do his researching through your ideas he was given using your site. It’s not at all simplistic to simply choose to be releasing procedures that many others might have been making money from. And we discover we have the website owner to be grateful to because of that. All of the explanations you have made, the easy site menu, the friendships you can aid to foster – it’s got everything superb, and it is helping our son and the family reckon that that concept is satisfying, and that’s exceptionally fundamental. Many thanks for the whole lot!

  190. Have you ever thought about adding a little bit more than just your articles? I mean, what you say is fundamental and all. Nevertheless think of if you added some great pictures or videos to give your posts more, “pop”! Your content is excellent but with images and clips, this site could undeniably be one of the most beneficial in its niche. Superb blog!

  191. Greetings from Los angeles! I’m bored to tears at work so I decided to browse your website on my iphone during lunch break. I really like the information you provide here and can’t wait to take a look when I get home. I’m shocked at how fast your blog loaded on my mobile .. I’m not even using WIFI, just 3G .. Anyhow, wonderful site!

  193. My developer is trying to convince me to move to .net from PHP. I have always disliked the idea because of the expenses. But he’s tryiong none the less. I’ve been using WordPress on several websites for about a year and am nervous about switching to another platform. I have heard excellent things about blogengine.net. Is there a way I can transfer all my wordpress posts into it? Any help would be greatly appreciated!

  194. After examine a few of the blog posts on your website now, and I actually like your approach of blogging. I bookmarked it to my bookmark web site record and can be checking again soon. Pls take a look at my web site as properly and let me know what you think.

  195. Oh my goodness! a tremendous article dude. Thanks Nevertheless I’m experiencing difficulty with ur rss . Dont know why Unable to subscribe to it. Is there anybody getting equivalent rss problem? Anyone who knows kindly respond. Thnkx

  196. I was suggested this web site through my cousin. I’m not sure whether or not this put up is written by way of him as no one else recognise such targeted about my trouble. You’re amazing! Thank you!

  197. This is the correct weblog for anyone who needs to seek out out about this topic. You realize so much its nearly laborious to argue with you (not that I truly would needHaHa). You definitely put a new spin on a topic thats been written about for years. Great stuff, just great!

  198. I like the valuable information you supply for your articles. I will bookmark your weblog and check again right here regularly. I’m quite certain I will be informed many new stuff proper right here! Good luck for the next!

  199. It’s a pity you don’t have a donate button! I’d most certainly donate to this fantastic blog! I guess for now i’ll settle for bookmarking and adding your RSS feed to my Google account. I look forward to fresh updates and will share this blog with my Facebook group. Talk soon!

  200. Howdy! This post could not be written any better! Reading through this post reminds me of my previous room mate! He always kept talking about this. I will forward this page to him. Fairly certain he will have a good read. Thanks for sharing!

  201. I was curious if you ever considered changing the structure of your website? Its very well written; I love what youve got to say. But maybe you could a little more in the way of content so people could connect with it better. Youve got an awful lot of text for only having one or 2 images. Maybe you could space it out better?

  202. Awesome blog! Is your theme custom made or did you download it from somewhere? A theme like yours with a few simple tweeks would really make my blog shine. Please let me know where you got your theme. Bless you

  203. Good day! This post couldn’t be written any better! Reading this post reminds me of my old room mate! He always kept chatting about this. I will forward this post to him. Fairly certain he will have a good read. Many thanks for sharing!

  226. I’d need to check with you here. Which isn’t one thing I usually do! I get pleasure from reading a post that may make folks think. Additionally, thanks for allowing me to comment!

  227. Superb website you have here but I was curious if you knew of any community forums that cover the same topics discussed here? I’d really like to be a part of group where I can get suggestions from other experienced people that share the same interest. If you have any suggestions, please let me know. Cheers!

  228. I wanted to put you this little note to finally say thanks a lot once again with your remarkable views you have shared on this site. This is really seriously generous of people like you to allow easily just what most of us would have offered as an ebook to end up making some dough for themselves, precisely considering the fact that you could possibly have done it if you considered necessary. Those thoughts in addition served like a fantastic way to understand that the rest have similar passion much like mine to see great deal more in regard to this issue. I’m sure there are numerous more fun periods in the future for individuals that scan through your blog.

  229. Hello would you mind sharing which blog platform you’re using? I’m looking to start my own blog soon but I’m having a hard time selecting between BlogEngine/Wordpress/B2evolution and Drupal. The reason I ask is because your layout seems different then most blogs and I’m looking for something unique. P.S Sorry for being off-topic but I had to ask!

  230. I do believe all of the concepts you have presented for your post. They’re very convincing and will definitely work. Nonetheless, the posts are too short for starters. May you please lengthen them a little from subsequent time? Thank you for the post.

  231. Thanks for some other wonderful post. The place else may anybody get that kind of info in such an ideal way of writing? I have a presentation subsequent week, and I’m at the search for such info.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Back to top button