Baghdad, April 27 (QNA) – HE Minister of Labour and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Arab Labour Organization Dr. Ali bin Samikh Al Marri, participated in the opening session of the 50th Arab Labour Conference in the Iraqi capital Baghdad, organized by the Arab Labour Organization from April 27 to May 4, 2024.

The opening was attended by HE Prime Minister of the Republic of Iraq Mohammed Shi’a Al Sudani, HE Minister of Labour and Social Affairs of the Republic of Iraq – Chairman of the Conference Ahmed Al Asadi, HE Director General of the Arab Labour Organization Fayez Ali Al Mutairi and representatives of the three production parties in the Arab countries (governments, employers and workers) according to the principle of tripartite representation and a number of relevant Arab and regional organisations.

Addressing the conference opening HE Dr. Ali bin Samikh Al Marri, stressed that the convening of the 50th session of the Arab Labour Conference confirms 50 years of a firm and solid relationship between the Arab Labour Organisation and the three production parties of the Arab countries, noting that the relationship is based on mutual understanding, respect, support and assistance to achieve the objectives of the Arab Labour Organisation.

During his speech at the opening of the conference, His Excellency said that the 50th session of the Arab Labour Conference comes under exceptional circumstances that the Arab nation is going through, pointing out that the situation in the Gaza Strip is still burning and the economic crisis continues to cast its shadow on labour markets and employment issues in the Arab countries.

HE the President of the Board of Directors of the Arab Labour Organization expressed his hope that the conference will come out with decisions and recommendations that contribute to achieving the aspirations of peoples in securing decent work opportunities and achieving a balance between creating more job opportunities, preserving the rights of workers to decent working conditions and reaching more secure, stable and just labour markets.

His Excellency explained that during the past year, the Board of Directors of the Arab Labour Organization discussed many important statutory, financial, administrative and technical issues, in addition to reviewing in its report the situation of workers and the people of Palestine in the occupied territories, where it condemned the crimes committed by the occupation authorities against workers and the people of Palestine as war crimes and genocide.

His Excellency the chairperson of the Board of Directors of the Arab Labour Organization called on the international community and all peace-loving forces to provide the necessary protection for the unarmed Palestinian people, stop this unjust war immediately and hold the perpetrators of these brutal crimes accountable before international courts, stressing the continued support for the Palestinian cause until the Arab people in Palestine obtain their freedom and establish their independent state on their land.

His Excellency pointed out that the Board of Directors reviewed the financial position of the Organization in terms of contributions and arrears to Member States and the reports of the Financial and Administrative Supervisory Authority and auditors on the final accounts of the Arab Labour Office in Cairo and the institutes and centers affiliated to the Organization for the fiscal year ending on 31 December 2023, noting that the Board adopted the ambitious plan presented by the Arab Labour Organization for the years (2025-2026), which we hope for your cooperation and support for its implementation.

His Excellency noted that the Board discussed the report on the activities and achievements of the Arab Labour Organisation, which highlighted the outstanding activities and hard work exerted by the Organisation to implement a wide range of activities and events that benefit the three parties of production in the Arab countries.

HE Dr. Ali bin Samikh Al Marri, Minister of Labour and President of the Board of Directors of the Arab Labour Organization, attended the high-level meeting of representatives of government delegations to the Arab Labour Organization, where a number of reports on the work of the committees stemming from the Arab Labour Organization were reviewed.

The 50th session of the Arab Labour Conference addresses vital issues that directly impact labour markets in the Arab region, labour issues in the Arab world, the Director-General’s report on the future of human resources in light of the technological revolution, and the challenges facing human resources in Arab countries in light of technological progress.

The Director-General’s report reviews how to prepare the workforce of the future, with a focus on training and continuing education to enhance the skills needed to adapt to technological changes, the balance and integration between technology and the human element, and the impact that technology can have on creating new job opportunities and improving working conditions.

The conference will address the development of policies to enhance productivity and sustainability in the Arab labour markets, including the analysis of factors that will contribute to enhancing the work environment and stimulating economic growth, as well as looking at ways to improve and develop policies, and the required roles of the three production parties and the Arab Labour Organization.

The State of Qatar, represented by H.E. Dr. Ali bin Samikh Al Marri, Minister of Labour, presides over the Board of Directors of the Arab Labour Organization following its election last October for a one-year term ending in October 2024. (QNA)