Day: June 6, 2023

Qatar, represented by HE the Minister of Labour Dr Ali bin Smaikh al-Marri, has been elected to preside over the 111th session of the International Labour Conference.This decision was taken by representatives of governments, employers and workers who are members of the International Labour Organisation (ILO), the Ministry of Labour said in a statement Monday.The conference, which is being held in Geneva from June 5 to 16, hosts more than 5,000 participants.”The election of Qatar as chair of the conference in the Qatar Hall at the United Nations building bears a symbolic indication of the place and event, and is witness to the achievements of Qatar in all fields at international forums,” the statement noted.The International Labour Conference, 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 (ILO), including agreements and recommendations. The conference takes decisions on the ILO’s general policy, programme of work and budget, and also elects members of the governing board.The ILC is the highest decision-making authority in the ILO and provides an effective platform through which governments and employers’ and workers’ organisations of member states can hold tripartite discussions on social and labour issues.HE Dr al-Marri has taken on the role of president of the International Labour Conference for the current session. “This is due to the continued trust the global community places in the integrity of Qatar. Over the years, Qatar has demonstrated its commitment to enhancing and developing the work environment. This appointment also serves as a testament to the successful collabouration with international labour organisations and unions that Qatar has fostered,” the statement points out.Qatar’s assumption of the presidency of the International Labour Conference for the first time since the establishment of the ILO in 1919 confirms true international recognition of the achievements made by the country in different areas of the labour sector and development in terms of various measures and initiatives to achieve a safe and healthy work environment.HE the Minister had earlier assumed the position of vice-president of the conference during the 110th session in 2022.Upon announcing his election as president of the conference, HE Dr al-Marri said in his speech: “I thank you for allowing me the opportunity to perform this honourable duty, and I will do my best, with my colleagues in the office, to direct the work of the conference on the basis of its well-established traditions, principles and guidelines, and I will spare no effort to ensure the success of this conference. I am counting on your valuable support to this end.”He emphasised that the selection of Qatar for this role is a matter of immense pride for both Qatar and the Asia-Pacific region, noting that the 111th session is “our first fully personal meeting since the (Covid-19) pandemic, and is a source of happiness for all.”He said the International Labour Conference comes at a time when the world is facing multiple crises that make the current session an appropriate occasion to discuss issues related to workers, employers and governments around the world.The matters on the agenda of the 111th conference are closely linked to the national development strategy in Qatar, he added.Following his election at the opening session, HE Dr al-Marri acknowledged that being chosen as president of the 111th International Labour Conference reflects the significant progress Qatar has made in the realm of labour. This election signifies the international community’s recognition of the credibility of Qatar, and represents the faith and assurance exhibited by countries in the Asia-Pacific region in supporting Qatar’s candidacy for this crucial role during the 111th session of the International Labour Conference.He highlighted Qatar’s keenness on effective partnership with international organisations andbodies to improve the work environment and improve conditions, pointing out that the partnership with various international organisations over the past years has contributed to the consolidation of Qatar’s active role in international forums related to the labour sector.He explained that the conference is an important international platform that brings together the three working parties in one place, which contributes to taking pivotal and major decisions to create appropriate conditions for the advancement of the labour market at the global level. He noted that the current session is being held in the wake of difficult global economic challenges in terms of high rates of inflation and the subsequent increase in interest rates, with negative effects on the global labour market.He hoped that the conference would achieve its desired goals, and that it would come up with recommendations that would enhance compatibility between the three working parties, and support their ability to overcome the effects of the crises that the world was exposed to during the past years.HE the Minister conveyed his gratitude to representatives of the 187 member states of the ILO for entrusting Qatar with the responsibility of presiding over the 111th session of the conference. He asserted Qatar’s ongoing commitment to collaborating with various organisations, bodies and trade unions, aiming to bolster co-operative efforts to attain a balanced relationship between employers and workers within Qatar.Catelene Passchier, chairperson of the Workers’ Group at the ILO, said Qatar has been incredibly collaborative with the organisation and various trade unions to bring about effective improvements in the workplace. “We value Qatar’s commitment to maintaining its collaboration with international organizations, and its adherence to the core principles, rights and values of the ILO.”Catharina Stasch, chairperson of the Government Group, said the group nominated HE Dr al-Marri to chair the International Labour Conference owing to his extensive experience in public service, as he served as the chairperson of the National Human Rights Committee as well as the Arab Permanent Committee on Human Rights within the Arab League.

Source: National News Agency – Lebanon

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has appointed Marguerite El Helou (Margo El Helou) of Lebanon as Director of the United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) in Cairo. She assumed her new duties on 1 June 2023. A field office of the United Nations Department of Global Communications, the United Nations Information Centre in Cairo provides services to Egypt and Saudi Arabia. Ms. El Helou has 25 years of experience in communications, including eight years as Director, UNIC Beirut. She also worked for the Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia. Prior to the United Nations, she was responsible for communications in the Near East for Procter and Gamble and a marketing manager for several companies. Ms. El Helou has extensive experience in designing and implementing communication strategies for the United Nations in the Middle East and North Africa. She has developed communications campaigns on the Sustainable Development Goals, climate change, women’s empowerment, migration, racism and hate speech. She has worked with both traditional and digital media, including the web and social media platforms. She also has a wide knowledge of the media scene in the Middle East and North Africa region as well as a deep understanding of the political, economic and social issues in the region. Ms. El Helou holds a bachelor’s degree in agriculture from the American University of Beirut as well as certificates in media, television, external relations, marketing and business solutions. She is fluent in English, French and Arabic.

Source: National News Agency – Lebanon

The third International Scientific Conference titled “Women and the Language of Dhad (Arabic language) in Entrepreneurship Business and Digital Education” kicked off on Wednesday, organized by the Amman Arab University, in cooperation with the American International Commission for Innovation, Development and Investment and Umm Al-Qura Recruitment and Training Academy. The two-day conference will discuss several topics, including women’s presence in digital caricature images, the goals of education and sustainable development, women’s creativity in the language of poetry, playwriting and children, and the role of universities in encouraging digital entrepreneurship and achieving sustainable development in joint projects. Deputizing for the President of the Senate, Chairperson of the Senate’s Women’s Committee Khawla Armouti stressed, in a speech, that women are key partners in the process of revitalizing the Arabic language, hailing the role of women in the educational, social, political, cultural and production processes to that end.

Source: Jordan News Agency

Minister of Industry, Trade and Supply, and Labor, Youssef Shamali, has shed light on the government’s ambitious plan that targets harnessing a million young energies into the workforce over the next decade. This dynamic strategy, part of an economic modernization vision launched last year, sets its sights on a 3 percent average annual per capita income increase, with an aspiration to raise the satisfaction quotient amongst Jordanians with their quality of life to a whopping 80 percent. Speaking at the 111th session of the International Labor Conference in Geneva, themed ‘Just Transition to a Sustainable Economy,’ Shamali emphasized that the plan views the workforce as both a foundation and a goal for economic and social progression. The vision is underpinned by initiatives focused on capacity building, cultivating leadership and innovation, and magnetizing investments. Shamali underscored the initiative’s commitment to preparing businesses for a sustainable future, integrating elements such as green manufacturing, energy efficiency, and strategies for reducing production and recycling costs. The conference discusses key themes including sustainable and inclusive economies, high-quality training, and worker protection – issues that have come into sharp focus amid the economic challenges brought on by the Covid-19 pandemic and the fallout of global conflicts and climate change. Shamali shared Jordan’s continuous efforts in meeting these challenges, working towards a comprehensive and sustainable economy. Jordan’s efforts have been focused on leveraging societal and sectorial potential, utilizing resources sustainably, developing conducive infrastructure and legislation, attracting investment, and forging regional and global partnerships to bolster the national economy. ‘Sustainability is vital to the Kingdom’s future economy. The key to achieving this lies in empowering a skilled workforce that is confident in their role and rights,’ Shamali stated. Accordingly, the programs of institutions focused on training and capacity building have been directed to include sustainability practices. Jordan has been taking strides in enhancing worker protection. The National Employment Program was launched with an aim to stimulate the private sector to create more jobs for Jordanians and curb unemployment exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic. So far, the program has attracted about 1,000 enterprises. The government also supported private institutions in retaining their employees during the pandemic peak. The Labor Law has been revamped to establish a more flexible rapport between employers and employees and to foster a safe work environment for women. The revisions have abolished restrictions on women’s work, allowing them the freedom to choose their career and work timings, thereby eliminating gender-based discrimination. Further, the law has been tailored to cater to a conducive work environment for workers with disabilities and those undertaking night shifts. It also maintains a focus on workplace safety, health conditions, and effective resolution of labor complaints. Lastly, Shamali pointed out that the economic modernization vision also intersects with the investment environment law, seeking to expand sustainable employment through local and foreign investments in diverse industrial and service sectors. ‘We’ve been keen to adopt a collaborative approach with the private sector and worker representatives to ensure sustainable consensus,’ Shamali concluded.

Source: Jordan News Agency

His Majesty King Abdullah on Tuesday departed Jordan on a private visit. His Royal Highness Crown Prince Al Hussein bin Abdullah II was sworn in as Regent, in the presence of Cabinet members.

Source: Jordan News Agency

The Ministry of Digital Economy and Entrepreneurship has launched a digital platform for government services record, which enables government institutions and departments to manage their service record and update their data to ensure the provision of up-to-date information on these services to citizens and the business sector. According to a ministry statement on Tuesday, service cards for government departments and institutions that were documented on the platform are published on the website: https://sanad.jo/ar/pages/mainservices. Citizens and stakeholders can view the government service cards and the service requirements, channels available for providing services, fees and application steps via this link.

Source: Jordan News Agency