Qatar participated in the International Labour Conference (ILC), which started today, 5 June in Geneva, Switzerland. The conference will conclude on Friday, 16 June 2023.
Chairperson of the Governing Body, Claudia Fuentes-Julio, stated that Qatari Minister of Labour, Ali bin Samikh Al Marri, will chair the 111th ILC session of the International Labour Organisation (ILO). Al Marri became President of the conference following a consensus reached among the three groups.
Permanent Representative of Germany to the United Nations Office in Geneva since April 2021, Katharina Stasch, elected Al Marri on behalf of the Government Group.
Spokesperson of the Employers’ Group, Renate Hornung-Draus, and Catelene Passchier, Spokesperson of the Workers’ Group also elected the Qatari Minister.
As indicated by his involvement in international conventions, Al Marri is a worldwide human rights champion who commands widespread respect. Also, he has substantial international expertise in the safeguarding and promotion of human rights locally and globally.
Labour Conference Highlights Social Justice and Workers’ Rights
The proceedings will cover various subjects. The ILC’s 111th session agenda includes a panel discussion on the ILO Director-General’s report on furthering social justice and a report on working conditions in occupied Arab territories.
Other papers on apprenticeships, gender equality, worker social protection, and measures to accomplish a just transition to ecologically sustainable economies and communities for all are also included.
The Qatari delegation includes representatives from Qatar Chamber, QatarEnergy and Karwa Company.
More than 5,000 participants, including heads of state and government, relevant ministers, representatives of employers and workers, and international, governmental and labour organisations, will attend the conference.
Labour Success Under Al Marri
Observers underscored Minister Al Marri’s chairing of the conference presidency following his election as vice president of the Conference last year. They suggest it is the pinnacle of Qatar’s reform efforts in terms of workers’ rights.
Qatar’s significant growth in the field of workers’ rights, as well as the strengthening of its laws and regulations throughout the years, have pushed it to the forefront of the world’s most important labour conference.
