Minister of Labour and President of the International Labour Conference H E Dr. Ali bin Smaikh Al Marri (second left) and Director-General of the International Labour Organisation H E Gilbert Houngbo (second right) during the signing of memorandum of adoption.
Doha, Qatar: The 111th session of the International Labour Conference, held under the presidium of Qatar, represented by Minister of Labour H E Dr. Ali bin Smaikh Al Marri adopted the recommendation of equal apprenticeships and the report of the Permanent Workers Protection Committee.
The memorandum of approval was signed by Minister of Labour H E Dr. Ali bin Smaikh Al Marri, in his capacity as President of the International Labour Conference, and Director-General of the International Labour Organization H E Gilbert Houngbo.
The acceptance of the equal apprenticeship recommendation, under the leadership of Qatar during the conference, stands as a significant milestone in the journey of the International Labour Organization (ILO). This recommendation, which was broadly embraced, directly enhances working conditions and stimulates the creation of decent job opportunities worldwide.
The promotion of quality apprenticeships is gaining importance as it helps address the challenges brought about by the evolving workforce. By offering individuals of all ages the opportunity to enhance their skills, it fosters social justice. Since 1975, it fills a normative gap and offers valuable guidance to Member States to develop effective policies, laws, and regulations promoting high-quality apprenticeships.
Furthermore, it underlines the role of social dialogue and stresses the need to involve employers’ and workers’ organizations in designing and implementing quality apprenticeships. The 111th session also approved the report from the Permanent Workers’ Protection Committee, marking it as the conference’s most significant output. The report underscores the critical role of worker protection in promoting gender equality and social justice.
It emphasised the necessity of labour protection in achieving gender parity and social justice, reducing inequalities while aiding in the growth of sustainable enterprises, productivity gains, and economic development. The report discussed various dimensions of labour protection, such as wages, working hours, occupational safety and health, maternity protection, among others.
