HE Minister of Labour and President of the 111th session of the International Labour Conference, Dr. Ali bin Samikh Al Marri presided over the plenary session of the 111th International Labour Conference, which took place in Geneva.
During the session, representatives from 187 member states of the International Labour Organization reviewed the reports from the Director-General of the International Labour Organization and the Chairman of the Organization's Board of Directors.
The 111th session of the International Labour Conference, led by the State of Qatar, is scheduled to run from June 5 to June 16. The conference will be attended by over 5,000 participants, encompassing Their Excellencies the Heads of State, Prime Ministers, Ministers of Member States, representatives of employers and workers, along with representatives from various international, governmental, and labour organizations.
HE Minister of Labour Dr. Ali bin Smaikh Al Marri stated that the 111th session of the International Labour Conference is taking place under unique global circumstances. He acknowledged that the multiple crises the world currently faces have directly affected the labour market and job creation capacities of economies. This situation amplifies the importance of the International Labour Conference to address these issues, given their implications for workers, employers, and governments worldwide.
His Excellency stated that the report of the Director General of the current session highlights social justice and the need for more social justice and the promotion of decent work worldwide, pointing out that the Labour market faces many challenges and obstacles that prevent the achievement of the desired goals of social justice, which confirms the need to form an alliance Broad global support for multilateral cooperation for social justice.
Dr. Al Marri called on the members of the International Labour Organization participating in the International Labour Conference to take advantage of the convening of the conference under exceptional circumstances that require everyone to search for solutions and recommendations that enable the labour market to overcome the effects of the crises that afflicted the world during the past years and had a direct impact on the global labour market.
HE the Vice-Chairperson of the ILO Board of Directors for the Employers' Group Renate Hornung-Draus, confirmed that the Director-General's report included essential elements for achieving social justice and meeting the needs of the labour market, noting the need to benefit from the International Labour Organization and the International Labour Conference to define the basic frameworks for achieving social justice.
She pointed out that private sector companies serve as the primary catalysts in the global labour market, as they are increasingly generating employment opportunities. She emphasized that employers are exerting considerable effort to bolster the economies of their respective countries, striving towards establishing a sustainable economy.
In addition, Katharina Stasch, the Chairperson of the Government Group at the International Labour Organization, stressed the need to provide workers in the occupied Arab territories with a way that contributes to achieving decent work and social protection for them, noting that the issue of social protection is extremely important at the level of the labour market in the world.
She indicated that it is necessary to address the effects of global crises by achieving social justice and a just transition, which contributes to improving the work environment at the level of the countries of the world.
The heads of the delegations from member states emphasized the importance of using the current session of the International Labour Conference as a platform for generating effective solutions to Labour issues worldwide. They praised Qatar's role and tangible contributions in the global Labour sector.
Upon his election as the President of the International Labour Conference's 111th session, these leaders expressed their congratulations to Dr. Ali bin Samikh Al Marri. They asserted their trust in Qatar's capabilities to efficiently steer the International Labour Conference.
The Director-General's report underlines the progression of social justice, the status of workers in occupied Arab territories, apprenticeships and gender equality, workers' social protection, and strategies to effect a fair transition towards environmentally sustainable economies and societies for everyone.
Known as the International Parliament of Labour, the International Labour Conference takes place annually in Geneva. Its purpose is to formulate the general policies of the International Labour Organization, which include various agreements and recommendations.
The International Labour Conference is the highest decision-making authority in the ILO and provides an effective platform through which governments and employers' and workers' organizations 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, as representatives of employers and workers are selected in agreement with the most representative national organizations of employers and workers.
Heads of state and prime ministers of member states participate in the conference annually, and international and governmental organizations and others attend as observers.
The State of Qatar presides over the International Labour Conference for the first time since the establishment of the organization in the Qatar Hall, so that Qatar will be present in the United Nations building, with a hall named after the State and presiding over the conference in a historic event that demonstrates the power of the Qatari achievement at the level of international forums.
Source: Qatar News Agency
