Minister of Labour H E Dr. Ali bin Smaikh Al Marri during a meeting with Arab representatives to the International Labour Organization in Geneva.
Doha: Minister of Labour H E Dr. Ali bin Smaikh Al Marri held an extensive meeting with the permanent delegates of the missions representing Arab states to the International Labour Organization in Geneva, on the sidelines of the 346th session of ILO Board of Directors, currently being held in Geneva.
The Minister of Labour stressed that the labour markets witnessed fundamental changes as a result of the political and economic conditions and transformations witnessed by the international community, noting that the challenges facing the Arab region due to these changes call for cooperation and joint Arab action.
The meeting was attended by Director-General of the Arab Labour Organization (ALO), H E Fayez Ali Al Mutairi; Head of Arab League’s Geneva Mission, H E Ambassador Ali Al Sammak; Palestinian Minister of Labour, H E Nasri Abu Jaish; and a number of ambassadors of Arab states in Switzerland.
The meeting comes at the invitation of Dr. Al Marri as Qatar is the coordinator of the Arab countries in ILO, with the aim of bracing joint Arab coordination.
Dr. Al Marri noted the experience of cooperation and coordination between Qatar and the ILO during the past years, stressing the importance of political and regional coalitions and their impact on the decisions issued by the organisation’s organs.
The Minister stressed the need to focus on issues of common interest in the Arab states, pointing to the need for coordination between representatives of Arab countries prior to discussing them in the various meetings of ILO’s Board of Directors and the International Labour Conference.
He explained that the unification of the position of the Arab group before ILO contributes to providing the necessary support to overcome the challenges facing the labour markets in the region, noting that joint Arab statements were presented on some technical items to the 346th session of the ILO Board of Directors.
The Minister stressed that the harsh conditions experienced by the workers of Palestine require everyone to continue to pressure the Israeli occupation to implement obligations in accordance with international law, pointing to the need to add the item on the development cooperation programme for the occupied Arab territories.
He noted that Qatar, as the coordinator of the Arab countries in ILO, will continue to enhance joint coordination and unify positions, noting that many meetings will be organised to increase consultation and discussion on labour market issues in Arab countries.
The meeting reviewed ways to enhance joint Arab action in the labour market and benefit from the successful experiences and expertise of the Arab countries.
Several issues of common concern of the Arab region were also discussed.
ILO’s Arab Group chose Qatar as coordinator of the group at ILO in Geneva, within the framework of organising the work of Arab countries within the organisation.
