Baghdad: The Green Zone, which is the US military headquarters and also houses coalition states' embassies and major Iraqi government offices, is also the place which offers job opportunities with salaries unmatched in most of Iraq.
The Green zone is Baghdad's most secured area with strict procedures.
The procedures start with providing the civil status identity to those who wish to enter the Green Zone and are searched thoroughly followed by personal inspection done by American security companies and the Iraqi army.
Strict security
As the last stage in security search, police dogs search vehicles. The police dogs are trained to detect gunpowder or explosives, and they decide who and which vehicle enters the Green Zone.
The people who enter the Green Zone are classified into guests and employees, who go through strict security measures.
Haleem, a 17-year-old, told Gulf News: "I left school two years ago to work inside the Green Zone. I work in lavatories [as a cleaner]. In return I get $450 [about Dh1,653] in addition to free lunch and tips. It is very comfortable to me compared with employees who do the same job I do outside the Green Zone where they receive $100-150 per month."
At 2pm, workers start leaving the Green Zone through the four or five gates specifically devoted to them, triggering off traffic congestion especially near Karada Bridge and Salhia near Jumhoria Bridge.
Fadel Khalil, 44, an Iraqi, told Gulf News: "I am an electrician and worked in the Green Zone for four years. The salaries here are magnificent. The small contracts I took here earned me a salary exceeding $3,000 per month. It may equal wages of contract work abroad."
Residents say working inside the Green Zone is like travelling abroad to save money and improve one's economic situation.
Some analysts think that the Green Zone might become a place that provides thousands of job opportunities if the reconstruction of roads and facilities start within the region.
Jabar Mirza, an Iraqi economic analyst, agreed: "More than 95 per cent of the installations, roads, and water, electricity and sewage systems in the Green Zone require [huge manpower].
"Besides there are hundreds of projects planned by the Iraqi government ... in the region and of course this needs thousands of workers and employees."
