Director of the Arab Labour Organization: Gaza ceasefire must guarantee the return of workers to their jobs
Cairo, Sept 13 (KUNA) -- The Director General of the Arab Labour Organization, Fayez Al-Mutairi, affirmed on Sunday that the ceasefire in Gaza must evolve into a genuine peace that guarantees the return of displaced persons to their homes, workers to their jobs, and the commencement of reconstruction in the Gaza Strip.
Speaking at the opening of the 52nd session of the Arab Labour Conference, Al-Mutairi stated that the organization reaffirms its firm and supportive stance toward the Palestinian cause and continues to defend the rights of Palestinian workers and people in regional and international forums. He added that events in Gaza continue to document the loss of lives, ongoing displacement, damage to infrastructure and essential services, and the difficulty of accessing humanitarian needs in the Gaza Strip.
He clarified that the organization supports every effort that paves the way for recovery and reconstruction, restoring employment opportunities, security, and decent living conditions to the Palestinian people, expressing hope that Palestinian workers and people will attain their legitimate rights, including the establishment of their independent state with East Jerusalem as its capital.
Referring to the situation in the West Bank, Al-Mutairi noted that conditions are no less harsh, marked by restrictions on movement, escalating settler violence, and ongoing demolition and settlement expansion activities that narrow livelihoods and employment opportunities.
On Arab economic and social affairs, Al-Mutairi said that the organization’s report for this year, titled “Sustainable Economic Growth: Toward Inclusive and Just Social Development in Arab Countries,” provides an analytical reading of the relationship between economic growth and social justice, and proposes practical pathways to translate growth gains into tangible realities. He explained that the report highlights the importance of tripartite partnership and social dialogue, the necessity of linking education and skills development policies with labor market needs, improving technology utilization, and supporting the green transition as a developmental path and an opportunity to generate new jobs.
He added that the report also addresses the importance of enhancing resource mobilization and financing in a fair and sustainable manner, which supports achieving balanced economic and social impact and helps Arab countries cope with the challenges of the current stage and capitalize on available opportunities. He called on participants to enrich the report with their expertise and observations, and to reach decisions that contribute to achieving sustainable economic growth and social justice in Arab countries.
Al-Mutairi pointed out that the organization has witnessed qualitative leaps in recent years in terms of development, modernization, regional and international presence, diversity of programs and activities, and responsiveness to the needs of production partners and rapid changes in the world of work. He stated that the organization has worked on new files mandated by the changing world of work, including digital transformation, artificial intelligence, emerging economies, and new skills, while maintaining its role as an Arab platform for social dialogue among the three production partners and as a model for joint Arab coordination and cooperation.
He considered that the development and initiatives achieved in recent years were the fruit of tripartite partnership between governments, employers, and workers, praising the support and trust the organization has received from Arab production partners.
Al-Mutairi also emphasized the importance of social dialogue in light of the crises affecting some Arab countries and the repercussions of regional wars that have extended to energy, transport, and food sectors, supply chains, and labor markets. He clarified that social dialogue becomes even more crucial during crises to seek solutions that protect jobs and workers’ rights, help enterprises withstand shocks, and preserve governments’ capacity to fulfill their responsibilities.
The 52nd session of the Arab Labour Conference discusses labor, employment, and development issues in Arab countries, as well as the economic and social challenges facing labor markets and ways to enhance social dialogue and tripartite partnership.
The Kuwaiti delegation to the 52nd conference is headed by Rabab Al-Asimi, Director General of the Public Authority for Manpower, and includes Faiyz Al-Azmi, President of the General Federation of Kuwaiti Workers, and Firas Al-Awada, Deputy Director General of the Kuwait Chamber of Commerce and Industry, along with officials from the three production sectors. (End) M.M. / N.S.A.
