The labour force, the main catalyst behind every development the world is witnessing, is going through unprecedented challenges which demand special attention and tailor-made solutions, which is essential to ensure the unhindered progress of developmental activities across the globe. Today the labour sector, whether it is in the developed world or otherwise, is threatened with the myriad repercussions emanating from the Coronavirus pandemic and the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, the fall out of which is already shifting the global balance and the concept of globalisation.
At this critical juncture, the 110th meeting of the International Labour Conference’s ministerial session in Geneva is of particular importance. Qatar’s Minister of Labour H E Dr. Ali bin Smaikh Al Marri, who has been recently elected as the Vice-President of the Conference, is leading a high-level Qatari delegation to the meeting. Qatar gives much importance to the conference as it provides an opportunity to communicate with international organisations and discuss the latest developments in the global labour scenario. Nearly 5,000 delegates from 187 countries are participating in the conference representing the three parties to the labour sector such as governments, employers and workers.
With the implementation of several reforms in labour laws and welfare measures for the thousands of foreign workers in the country, whom Qatar is treating as guests, over the past years, the country has been emerging as a model for workers’ safety and welfare. Qatar has been drawing applause from across the world, including from several international labour unions, for its latest measures for workers such as the implementation of minimum wage with other facilities, abolition of kafala system, providing modern amenities such as state-of-the art accommodation, free entertainment opportunities, worksite safety, world class medical facilities etc.
As a country with immense experience in the labour sector, Qatar can relate well with other leaders who are sincerely concerned about the newest challenges facing the labour sector. The pandemic and international conflicts have resulted in lost working hours and unemployment, diminished labour and business income, new challenges to occupational health and safety, disrupted supply chains and above all poverty, economic and social inequality.
As such, the conference is burdened with finding solutions to many vexing issues of a sector, which directly influence the quality and safety of everybody as without a dedicated and sincere workforce no development can be materialised. Qatar is one of the few countries which have already realised this fact and as a result always try to keep its workers in high esteem providing them with every possible welfare measures.
