Events in Arab States

For inquiries about any of the events listed below, please contact 90th@ilo.org

• Jordan

  • 26 April 2009, Amman, Jordan
    Better Work Jordan, in coordination with the ILO Regional Office for Arab States, marks the 90th Anniversary of the ILO
    Representatives from the tripartitie constitutents of the ILO, as well as the academic community, NGOs and the public gathered to highlight the ILO's work in Jordan, with special focus on the programme of Better Work, a joint project of the ILO and the International Finance Corporation which engages private sector buyers to improve labour standards in global supply chains.
    1. Speech of the Minister of Labour H.E. Dr. Gazi Shbaikat - (mp3 47kB)
    2. Photos - (pdf 1.7MB)

• Kuwait

  • 28 April 2009, Kuwait City, Kuwait
    A seminar was organized in Kuwait in collaboration with ILO constituents (MOSAL, KTUF & KCCI) and other civil society organizations with the participation of the UN country team on the subject of the ILO and its role in bringing about the Declaration on Social Justice.

• Lebanon

  • 23 April 2009, Beirut, Lebanon
    Symposium in Parliament honors ILO's 90th Anniversary and highlights ILO Declaration on Social Justice and the ILO Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work
    A high-level meeting took place in the Lebanese Parliament to highlight the ILO's 90th Anniversary and the ILO Declaration on Social Justice in the presence of ILO tripartite constituents, UN Agencies and the Lebanese Parliamentarians' Committees on Human Rights and on Labour and Social Affairs. Opening statements were delivered by the Lebanese Minister of Labour, the President of General Trade Union Federation in Lebanon, the President of Association of Lebanese Industrialists, the Head of both Parliamentary Committees, and the ILO Regional Director. One intervention was delivered by Nabatieh Governor, head of the committee that was formed to Combat the Worst forms of Child Labour, and the second came from an expert in women's issues wherein she highlighted the role of women in the Arab region and focussed on ILO's role.

• Occupied Palestinian Territory

  • 28 April 2009, Palestine
    An event for youth was coordinated in the West Bank with the Sharek Youth Forum and tripartite constituents covering both West Bank and Gaza. Arabic material on the ILO was distributed to local newspapers, the businessmen's quarterly magazine, "This week in Palestine" newsletter, and Shabab el Mustaqbal monthly newsletter.
  • April 2009, Palestine
    The event "Social Dialogue for Decent Work and Fair Globalization" included 75 students representing seven universities and colleges. Discussions focused on the need for a national policy to tackle the high unemployment rate amongst college graduates, the importance of marginalized groups, the financial crisis' effect on youth including migration, the role of women in the change process and the role of the private sector.

• Saudi Arabia

  • 28 April, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
    An Occupational Safety and Health Meeting was organized by the ILO Safe Work Department to focus on guidelines and as well as the ILO role.

• United Arab Emirates

  • 27-28 April 2009, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
    The UAE Ministry of Labour in collaboration with the ILO and the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights organized a public seminar on "Labour and Human Rights" in Dubai. The meeting covered an introduction to human rights in labour relations, human rights and rule of law, fundamental rights at work, combatting human trafficking, forced labour, and human rights and corporate social responsibility.