Labor market policies and objectives in sync with Vision 2030, Al-Haqbani tells Geneva conference

GENEVA — Minister of Labor and Social Development Dr. Mufrej Al-Haqbani has emphasized that aligning policies, objectives and national work with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 is a step in the right direction. He made the remarks during a speech to the 105th session of the International Labor Conference in Geneva on Wednesday. Al-Haqbani, chairman of the current session of the GCC Ministerial Council, said it needs in the first place to confirm the importance of adjusting to all conditions and means in order to achieve such integration. He said: "As per the report of the director general on poverty, the national ownership of cohesive strategies for sustainable development should be owned and financed at the national level and in the framework of cooperation and support at the international level." Al-Haqbani added that the International Labor Organization should put in place detailed and precise mechanisms for its contributions to achieving the 2030 development objectives, taking into account its international obligations and the needs of the member states as well. He hailed the organization as the principal and strategic partner of the international community to eliminate poverty as a whole. The minister pointed out that the Gulf countries have been receiving more than 17 million foreign workers from all walks of life as they endeavor to annually create 3 million job opportunities occupied by national and expatriate workers. Al-Haqbani made special mention that the foreign workforce has contributed to the economic activity through implementing development projects and achieving growth and social, economic and sustainable development in the Gulf countries. Addressing the delegations of 187-member states at Palais des Nations, he continued: "The Gulf countries that outsource labor have led to curbing poverty in labor-exporting countries as expatriate remittances from the Gulf countries stood at $80 million annually." The minister spoke at the conference on behalf of all GCC countries. "The topic of poverty eradication has received undivided attention around the world due to its unprecedented increase and various causes which urge us to combine our efforts and initiatives to uproot it and handle its negative impacts," the minister said. Al-Haqbani stated the Gulf states are aware of the scope of national responsibilities and their international obligations to achieve the objectives of sustainable development. He added that the Gulf states have been working to enable proper conditions to accomplish diversity and economic growth depending on human capital. Al-Haqbani indicated such moves conform to rules and specifications of sustainable development and environmental preservation as well as spreading the culture of work and human resources development. The harmonization between educational institution and requirements of the labor market can enhance such goals in addition to supporting entrepreneurs and SMEs alongside the development of investment tools in order to explore the relative benefits, he added. Al-Haqbani said the orchestrated efforts would ensure the diversification of economies and creation of job opportunities and increase women participation in the labor market and allow SMEs and the nonprofit sector to contribute to the GNP. Concluding his speech, Al-Haqbani made his comments on the report of director general on the situation of workers of the occupied Arab territories and mentioned the enduring suffering they go through. He said the status quo of Palestinian and Arab workers in the occupied territories has diminished economic activities at the lowest level which would spread poverty, unstable labor and unemployment. He urged the international community to exert further efforts to support Arab workers in the state of Palestine and Arab territories at the technical level as well as prop up the Palestinian Fund for Employment and Social Development.