ILO in the Arab States

The ILO Regional Office for Arab States promotes decent work in the Levant and the Gulf, covering 11 countries: Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, UAE, Oman, Qatar and Bahrain. ILO activities in the occupied Palestinian territory are also part of the Regional Office portfolio.

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Syrian Refugee Crisis in Jordan and Lebanon

Since 2012, the flow of refugees from Syria to neighbouring countries has continued unabated and today constitutes one of the largest, most protracted humanitarian emergencies of its kind. The refugee-receiving countries of Jordan and Lebanon were already experiencing difficult economic conditions before the Syrian crisis led to a dramatic increase in labour supply, which has added considerable pressure on their fragile labour markets. The effects of the crisis are also increasingly spilling over into neighbouring countries’ economic and social spheres, resulting in loss of economic activity and income as well as dwindling access to quality public services.

The "ILO Response to the Syrian Refugee Crisis in Jordan and Lebanon" is development-focussed in its support of refugees and host communities and it aims to preserve social and economic stability at the national level.