Ghobash highlights labour role of Gulf states in Geneva speech

The Gulf states are a strategic partner to the International Labour Organisation, the Minister of Labour Saqr Ghobash said yesterday.

Gulf labour markets provide more than 15 million job opportunities that allow for the growth and development of workers and subsequently their home countries, Mr Ghobash said as the organisation's 102nd session took place in Geneva.

Labour ministers from the six GCC countries met Guy Ryder, the director general of the ILO, at the United Nations Palace headquarters.

Mr Ghobash remittances from Gulf states amounted to about US$80 billion (Dh294bn), which emphasised the developmental impact expatriate workers had on their home countries and on GCC countries.

The minister highlighted the impact of the Labour Mobility Conference, which was held last month under the patronage of Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs.

The conference shed light on issues such as the migration of temporary workers and its impact on economic growth in home and host countries.

Mr Ghobash also spoke of the Abu Dhabi Dialogue and said it was a prominent initiative by the Government because it was a forum for continued deliberation among labourers' home and host countries.

He praised the International Labour Organisation's keenness to maintain a balance in the relationship between governments, employers and employees and said it was an essential element for the organisation's success, and he valued the ILO director general's efforts since he took office last year.

Mr Ryder said that recognised the developmental impact of the work of expatriate workers in the GCC and the positive effects it had on the Gulf countries, the workers, their families and their countries.

In parallel, there should be concerted efforts to provide a decent working environment for workers and to guarantee their rights, he said.

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