HE the Minister of Labour and Chairperson of the 111th session of the International Labour Conference (ILC), Dr Ali bin Smaikh al-Marri, said the international community places its trust in Qatar's safe work environment and the outstanding advancements it has made in labour sector development.
He pointed out that entrusting Qatar with the presidency of the 111th session of the ILC signifies international acknowledgment of its accomplishments in labour sector development and its initiatives to establish a secure and healthy work environment.
Speaking exclusively to QNA, HE the Minister affirmed Qatar's keenness to activate effective partnerships with international organisations and bodies to improve the work environment and conditions. Its partnership with various international organisations has contributed to the consolidation of Qatar's active role in international forums related to the labour sector over the past years, he noted.
On the relationship between the Ministry of Labour and the International Labour Organisation (ILO), HE Dr al-Marri said it is based on partnership, especially since the organisation is a witness to the progress made in the Qatari labour market, which in turn reinforced the continuous technical co-operation programme between the two parties.
In particular, the two sides agree to continue working together in the areas of labour reform, including occupational safety and health, intensifying efforts to combat forced labour and human trafficking, enhancing international co-operation, exchanging experiences and developing effective and comprehensive labour market policies that contribute to building a more competitive knowledge economy.
He added that the success of the labour reforms established a valuable experience that can be replicated in other countries, stressing that Qatar is moving steadily in labour sector reforms in line with the main principles of Qatar National Vision 2030, and as part of it commitment to building a modern and dynamic labour market.
Regarding the current session of the conference, HE the Minister said this year's conference agenda entailed an evaluation of the director-general's report on the progress of social justice, a report scrutinising the circumstances of workers in the occupied Arab territories, reports on apprenticeships and gender parity, labourer's social protection, and strategies to facilitate a fair transition towards environmentally sustainable economies and societies for everyone.
He revealed that the report of the ILO director-general highlighted social justice and the need for more work to consolidate it and promote decent work worldwide, in order to achieve its desired goals, in addition to the need to form a broad global alliance to support multilateral cooperation for social justice. It is a goal that Qatar seeks to achieve through its presidency of the current session of the conference.
He referred to the numerous challenges facing the global labour market, including high unemployment rates, weak minimum wages, lack of coverage for some with health and social security insurance, exposure to injury and various risks during work, in addition to the lack of occupational safety and health measures in the workplace.
Concluding his remarks, HE Dr al-Marri referred to other challenges, such as abolishing restrictions on women's work and providing legal protection to them, as well as allowing freedom of trade unions in accordance with international agreements. He explained that achieving these matters requires concerted efforts of the three business partners present at the conference - governments, employers and trade unions - in order to improve the legislative system and provide a safe work environment, which positively affects the production process.