Labor Minister, ILO General Director review cooperation

Singapore, Dec. 8 (BNA): Labor and Social Development Minister and Labor Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA) Board of Directors Chairman Jamil bin Mohammad Ali Humaidan met International Labour Organization (ILO) Director General Gilbert F. Houngbo on the sideline of the 17th ILO Asia and the Pacific Regional Meeting. Humaidan praised the cooperation between Bahrain and the ILO and its support for many labor programs and initiatives launched by Bahrain that have contributed to achieving stability and steady growth in the labor market. Humaidan and Houngbo discussed topics of common interest and reviewed strategic plans adopted by Bahrain to raise employment rates for citizens and maintain the unemployment rate within low limits, and within the framework of the economic recovery plan launched by the government that aims to sustain the growth of the labor market. The minister said that the steps taken by Bahrain to ensure the stability of labor relations during COVID-19 included the provision of financial and economic support packages that contributed to the stability of employment in various productive sectors. The ILO Director General noted the importance of strengthening social protection for workers and stressed on the model launched by Bahrain in 2006 in cooperation with the ILO for unemployment insurance. Houngbo praised the experiences launched by Bahrain, specially encouraging positive cooperation between the three production parties and developing social dialogue to serve labor and production issues. He noted the efforts made by Bahrain to avoid the negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the labor market and the Kingdom's keenness to achieve financial, economic and social support for all workers in Bahrain.