Labour Minister holds meetings in Geneva

Geneva, June 15 (BNA): Labour and Social Development Minister, Jameel bin Mohammed Ali Humaidan, met the Director-General of the International Labour Organisation (ILO), Guy Ryder, at the UN headquarters here. Attended by the labour ministers of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, the meeting was held on the sidelines of the 108th ILO International Labour Conference, held here on June 10-21. The meeting discussed areas of GCC-ILO cooperation, re-affirmed the GCC’s support for the leading role played by ILO, and reviewed ILO’s centenary celebrations and future action plan. The minister highlighted Bahrain’s recent labour achievements, affirming the kingdom’s unwavering efforts to continue launching initiatives that would reflect its commitment to international work standards through updating its laws to serve the three work parties. He also asserted the kingdom’s keenness to enhance social dialogue, being the cornerstone for developing relations among all parties related to the labour mrket, lauding ILO’s technical support for Bahrain. Minister Humaidan also participated in the coordination meeting of GCC labour ministers. The meeting discussed ways to enhance cooperation between the GCC and ILO, coordination vis-à-vis ILO’s conference agenda, delivering a joint statement that reflects GCC countries’ expectations regarding ILO’s centenary document and programmes, in addition to ways to make optimum advantage of ILO programmes and the best means to appoint GCC nationals and experts to ILO posts. The Labour Minister also held meetings with his counterparts from brotherly and friendly countries and heads of delegations to the 108th ILO International Labour Conference.