About us

The Regional context

The Arab world encompasses a territory that stretches from the Atlantic to the Persian Gulf, from the Saharan desert to the foothills of Anatolia. Within this region live an estimated 350 million people whose socioeconomic circumstance and needs are incredibly diverse. This is articulated by the wide ranging per capita income that characterizes Arab states and distinguishes them from other regions.

Many in the region have enjoyed periods of stability that have supported socio-economic development and dialogue, while others have suffered from social and civil unrest which continues to jeopardize sustainable economic progress and social development. Oil-producing countries in the region are characterized as enjoying high returns from oil exports and low population levels, while the less developed countries in the region are more densely populated and suffer from poverty, unemployment and social tensions.

The ILO perceives the main socio-economic challenges confronting Arab states to be employment creation for the rapidly growing labour force and raising the living and working standards of its population. In confronting these socio-economic challenges governments in the region must also ensure that respect for the fundamental rights of workers is maintained. It is within this context that the ILO through its Regional Office for the Arab States endeavours to enhance national capacities in effectively addressing these challenges and strengthening social dialogue.

ILO’s mandate and role

The promotion of Decent Work throughout the region is the primary objective of the ILO. It sums up the aspirations of people in their working lives – their aspirations for opportunity and income; rights, voice and recognition; family stability and personal development; fairness and gender equality. The Regional Office has reflected this notion throughout its programme of work in the Arab states, particularly through the design and implementation of Decent Work Country Programmes (DWCP).

The Decent Work agenda is based upon four fundamental pillars: fundamental principles and rights at work and international labour standards; employment and income opportunities; social protection and social security; social dialogue and tripartism. These objectives hold for all workers, women and men, in both formal and informal economies; in wage employment or working on their own account; in the fields, factories and offices; in their home or in the community.

In line with the overall Decent Work Agenda, the Regional Office provides support to ILO’s member states through integrated DWCPs which are formulated through a consultative and participatory approach with ILO constituents i.e. governments, employers’ and worker’s organisations. They define the priorities and targets within national development frameworks and aim to tackle major decent work deficits through efficient programmes that embrace each of the strategic objectives. This website highlights the DWCPs that have been implemented in a number of Arab countries such as Jordan, Syria and Yemen.

Running through all ILO programmes and projects is an emphasis on the key role Decent Work can play in national development strategies and in supporting poverty reduction efforts. Placing productive employment and decent work for all at the centre of national and regional development agendas is a key contribution of the ILO to achieve the Millennium Development Goals.

The Regional Office has been present in the region since 1976 and was re-established in Beirut in 1995. The Regional Office in Beirut covers 11 countries: Bahrain, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, United Arab Emirates and Yemen. ILO activities in the occupied Palestinian territory are also part of the Regional Office portfolio. Two area offices are located in Kuwait and Jerusalem, supporting the national programme in those countries. Several technical cooperation projects are implemented across the region including in Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, Yemen, the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

The focus of the support to ILO constituents in the region is based on the following objectives:

• alleviate poverty through job creation and local economic development initiatives;
• combat discrimination with respect to employment and occupation,
• ensure equality in treatment and opportunity in employment;
• support the progressive elimination of child labour;
• expand the coverage of social security;
• improve capacities of labour administrations, including labour inspectorates;
• reinforce the role and capacities of vocational training institutions;
• promote entrepreneurship and competitiveness;
• further responsible and sustainable enterprise-level practices;
• support independent and representative organizations of workers and employers;
• strengthen the mechanism of collective bargaining and promote freedom of association; and
• support the establishment and strengthening of social dialogue mechanisms.

The Regional Office is based in Beirut and covers 11 countries, namely Bahrain, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, United Arab Emirates and Yemen. ILO activities in the occupied Palestinian territory are also part of the Regional Office portfolio. Two area offices are located in Kuwait and Jerusalem, supporting the national programme in those countries. Several technical cooperation projects are implemented across the region including in Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, Yemen, the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

Regional Partnerships

In its efforts to achieve these objectives, the Regional Office cooperates with international and regional organizations and institutions. Several strategic partnerships have been launched and consolidated in recent years with organizations such as the Arab Labour Organization (ALO), the International Confederation of Arab Trade Unions (ICATU), the General Union of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, and Agriculture in the Arab states (GUCCIA), the Executive Bureau of the Council for Ministers of Labour and Social Affairs in the Gulf Cooperation Council States, the Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development, and the UN Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia(ESCWA).