ShareDOHA: Acting Deputy Director General for Labor Affairs at the Public Authority of Manpower (PAM), Musaed Al-Mutairi, stressed on Monday the importance of participating in the 10th meeting of the Committee of Undersecretaries of Labor Ministries in the Gulf Cooperation Council countries. Al-Mutairi told KUNA that the meeting, held in the Qatari capital, reviewed the GCC’s strategic initiatives.
He added that the meeting’s discussions focused on international cooperation and the Gulf framework to combat “forced labor” and “human trafficking” in the field of work, and the recommendations of the Undersecretaries Committee were submitted to the Committee of Labor Ministers. Al-Mutairi invited the participating delegations to attend the 11th meeting of the Committee of Undersecretaries of Labor Ministries in the GCC countries, which will be held next September, considering that Kuwait is the country that chairs the next session.
He pointed out that Tuesday will witness an honoring ceremony attended by the Ministers of Civil Service, Ministers of Labor, and Ministers of Social Affairs and Development in the GCC countries, where the former Director General of the Executive Office of the Council of Labor Ministers and the Council of Social Affairs Ministers and a number of distinguished companies from Kuwait will be honored.
The meeting was held in Doha with the participation of the Kuwaiti Public Authority of Manpower Assistant Undersecretary for Expatriate Labor Affairs. Sheikha Najwa bint Abdulrahman said in her opening speech that the annual meeting is an opportunity to exchange experiences and ideas so as to enhance joint work frameworks on common issues and identify best practices in this field. Sheikha Najwa stressed the importance of working to unify efforts and coordinate positions of labor ministries in the GCC countries.
The meeting’s agenda includes the strategy of the Committee of Ministers of Labor and International Cooperation, the United Nations principles on business and human rights, and the Gulf framework to combat forced labor and human trafficking. The meeting is being held at a time when “serious violations continue to be committed against workers in Palestine and the occupied Arab territories amid the great suffering they are subjected to as a result of the expansion of settlements and closures.
Significance of ties
Meanwhile, Kuwait on Monday emphasized the significance of the 10th meeting of the GCC Ministries of Social Affairs and Development Undersecretaries Committee. Highlighting the importance of reinforcing continuous cooperation, coordination, and the exchange of expertise in social affairs among GCC countries, Dr Khaled Al-Ajmi, acting Undersecretary of the Ministry of Social Affairs, told KUNA that the meeting’s agenda includes discussions on the social development strategy and its initiatives within the GCC, as well as the joint charitable work plan for the GCC countries (2025-2030).
On his part, Assistant Undersecretary for Social Development Affairs at Qatar’s Ministry of Social Development and Family Affairs, Fahad Al-Khayareen, noted that the meeting takes place during a period of rapid social and economic changes. He stressed the need to intensify efforts and align visions to address all challenges. Al-Khayareen added that previous committee meetings have underscored the crucial role of ongoing coordination among GCC countries in enhancing social stability and sustainable development.
The current agenda focuses on initiatives aimed at strengthening integration in social sectors across the GCC. A key topic of discussion is the social development strategy, which seeks to improve citizens’ living standards and achieve comprehensive, balanced development. The meeting will review the progress made so far and consider the next steps necessary to meet the desired goals. — KUNA
