HE the Minister of Labour Dr Ali bin Smaikh al-Marri chaired Monday the tenth plenary session of the International Labour Conference (ILC) at its 111th session, which is being held in Geneva, Switzerland, until June 16.
In a full meeting attended by representatives from 187 member states of the International Labour Organisation, there was a review of reports from the Organisation's director-general and board chairperson. The discussion primarily focused on the significant changes observed in the work environment, particularly in relation to the various crises that have had a direct impact on the global labour market.
HE the Assistant Undersecretary at the Ministry of Labour Mohamed Hassan al-Obaidly delivered the speech of Qatar at the conference, in which he stressed that Qatar will continue its efforts aimed at building the capabilities of the national workforce, qualifying it and developing its efficiency in order to acquire the required skills in response to the changes taking place in the world of work, and to achieve the Qatar National Vision 2030.
Qatar seeks to move to a more competitive and knowledge-based economy, encourage Qatari youth of both sexes to invest and in entrepreneurship, and to provide the appropriate environment for the development of small and medium enterprises, he noted, and indicated that the next stage requires attracting skilled expatriate workers, which contributes to increasing productivity in the work environment.
Al-Obaidly explained that the report of the Director-General of the International Labour Organisation for the current year on advancing social justice for decent work referred to the unprecedented challenges facing the world of work, as a result of the successive economic and social crises that were associated with a state of inequality and uncertainty.
Assistant Undersecretary at the Ministry of Labour emphasised that the annual report on workers in Palestine and the occupied Arab territories sheds light on the profound hardships Palestinian workers face due to expanding settlements, lockdowns, and mobility restrictions. This is in addition to the worsening economic crisis. He urged the International Labour Organisation to intensify its efforts to alleviate the struggles of Palestinian workers and to advocate for the execution of all international resolutions aimed at ending the occupation.
The 111th session of the International Labour Conference, led by Qatar, is ongoing at the UN Palace in Geneva, continuing until June 16, 2023. This session, under the aegis of the International Labour Organisation, includes the participation of a substantial number of representatives from the three labour parties — governments, workers and employers.
The Director-General's report highlights the advancement of social justice, the conditions of workers in the occupied Arab territories, apprenticeships and gender equality, social protection for workers, and ways to achieve a just transition towards environmentally sustainable economies and societies for all.
ILC, or what is known as the International Parliament of Labour, is held annually in Geneva to set the general policies of the International Labour Organisation, including agreements and recommendations.
ILC is the highest decision-making authority in the ILO and provides an effective platform through which governments, employers' and workers' organisations of member states can hold tripartite discussions on social and labour issues.
The delegation of each member state to the conference consists of delegates from the government, a representative of employers, a representative of workers, in addition to their advisors. Representatives of employers and workers are selected in agreement with the most representative national organisations of employers and workers.
Heads of state and prime ministers of member states participate in the conference annually, and international and governmental organisations and others attend as observers.
