Amman, June 1 (Petra) — Senators participating in the 114th
International Labour Conference in Geneva joined Arab counterparts in
discussions aimed at strengthening coordination on key labour issues,
with support for Palestinian workers and enhanced Arab representation
within international labour institutions topping the agenda.

The delegation includes Chairman of the Senate Labour and Social
Development Committee Issa Murad and committee members Sharhabil Madi
and Nasimah Al-Fakhri.

According to a Senate statement issued Monday, the delegation took
part in the first coordination meeting of the Arab Group on the
sidelines of the conference, where representatives reviewed common
positions on issues before the gathering and discussed mechanisms to
bolster Arab engagement in its deliberations.

The meeting focused on arrangements related to the presidency of the
conference’s 114th session and associated leadership positions,
alongside efforts to coordinate Arab nominations and participation
across the conference’s committees and specialized bodies.

Palestine featured prominently in the discussions, with participants
reaffirming their support for the Palestinian cause and emphasizing
the need to follow up on the implementation of International Labour
Conference resolutions addressing the conditions of Arab workers in
the occupied Palestinian territories.

Delegates also reviewed preparations for the International Forum of
Solidarity with the Workers and People of Palestine, which is
expected to highlight the challenges facing Palestinian labourers
amid ongoing economic and political pressures.

Participants discussed the impact of Israeli measures in the occupied
Arab territories, noting that labour markets in the occupied West
Bank have been severely affected, resulting in the loss of thousands
of jobs and employment opportunities.

The meeting further examined developments related to a decision by
the Governing Body of the International Labour Organization
concerning the suspension of certain constitutional provisions
governing the participation of the State of Palestine in the
International Labour Conference.

Arab representatives stressed the importance of enhancing Palestine’s
role within the organization and ensuring continued support for its
labour and development rights at the international level.

The discussions also addressed progress on ratifying the 1986
amendment to the Constitution of the International Labour
Organization, which seeks to broaden representation within the
Governing Body of the International Labour Office.

In addition, participants reviewed the organization’s Development
Cooperation Strategy for 2026-2029, efforts to expand the use of
Arabic within its institutions, and opportunities to strengthen
cooperation between the Arab Labour Organization and the
International Labour Organization in support of development
priorities across the Arab world.

The meeting concluded with a call for sustained consultation and
coordination among Arab delegations, with participants emphasizing
that a unified approach remains essential to strengthening the Arab
voice and influence within international labour forums.

//Petra// RZ