Officials of Qatar Chamber held a meeting yesterday with a delegation from the International Labour Organisation (ILO).
Naser al-Meer, the representative of employers at Qatar Chamber, led the meeting with Deborah France Massin, director of ILO’s Bureau for Employers’ Activities.
Also present at the meeting were members of the chamber’s working team, including Al-Anoud al-Mohannadi, director of the Member Affairs Department; Maryam al-Sorour, assistant director of the Administrative & Finance Department; Hamad al-Marri, assistant director of the Legal Affairs Department; and Mohamed Saad al-Mohannadi, director of the general manager’s office.
The meeting was also attended by Jose Manuel Checa, senior specialist on employers' activities at the ILO’s regional office in Beirut; and Max Tuñón, head of the ILO office in Doha.
During the meeting, both sides discussed ways to enhance co-operation for the benefit of the Qatari private sector. The chamber also proposed the organisation of a high-level conference with the attendance of dignitaries from both sides and government agencies.
Addressing the meeting, al-Meer praised the close co-operation between both parties and their commitment to creating a mutually beneficial partnership for the advantage of the Qatari private sector.
He stressed that the proposed conference presents an opportunity for the private sector to understand the roles of the ILO at all levels, recognise the accomplishments of both organisations, and explore future cooperation possibilities.
Al-Meer emphasised that the conference is expected to yield valuable results, recommendations, and several memoranda of understanding in areas, such as training, research, technology, and support for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
Furthermore, al-Meer stressed that the Qatari private sector has successfully adapted to the labour and business laws enacted in recent years.
In her remarks, Massin expressed enthusiasm for the proposed conference and emphasised the importance of co-operation and partnership with Qatar Chamber in areas, such as research, technical training, vocational safety, and the sharing of expertise from other countries.
For his part, Checa welcomed the chamber’s proposal, noting that the conference would provide an opportunity to showcase the ILO’s efforts and achievements. He noted that the scope of the ILO’s work extends beyond labour issues, encompassing areas, such as training, research, technology, SMEs, and more.
Checa highlighted the conference’s importance in addressing topics, such as SMEs, labour market skills, supporting employers’ policies that are aligned with that of the State, as well as promoting women’s participation and the inclusion of persons with disabilities in employment.
Both sides agreed to establish a joint working team to schedule and discuss the agenda and timing for the proposed conference.