All news: Arab States

ILO assessment

ILO warns of deepening employment and livelihood crisis in the West Bank due to two-year war in Gaza

New brief highlights severe economic contraction, rising unemployment and worsening living standards for Palestinian workers, families and communities.

New ILO factsheets reveal linkages between climate challenges and green job opportunities in the Arab States region

New ILO country factsheets present a concise overview on key employment, environment, and climate data for the Arab States region.

Global training in Doha strengthens action toward fair recruitment and labour rights

The ILO, ITCILO and Qatar's Ministry of Labour brought together 60 participants from over 20 countries in Doha for a week-long training on fair recruitment, covering everything from forced labour prevention to gender and data-driven policymaking,...

Regional Tripartite Forum charts framework for cooperation on labour market recovery in Syria and neighbouring countries

Held under the patronage of Syria’s Ministry of Social Affairs and Labour, the Damascus meeting endorses joint commitments to promote inclusive employment, rights-based social protection and regional policy coherence to support Syria’s recovery and...

Jordan takes steps to address youth not in employment, education or training under ILO regional initiative

National workshop held in Amman under the ILO’s Y-NEET initiative, with funding from the European Union, to analyse youth statistics and identify policy priorities

ILO, the German Embassy and Iraqi Partners Launch a guarantee fund to empower SMEs and boost inclusive growth in Iraq

Credit Guarantee Fund launched to expand SME finance and create jobs in Iraq

Social Dialogue

First summer school on Social Dialogue explores industrial relations and due diligence

Over 60 participants joined the first summer school to exchange perspectives on the future of social dialogue, industrial relations and human rights due diligence.

International Year of Cooperatives

Care provision through cooperatives spotlighted at South4Care launch

ILO highlighted cooperative care solutions grounded in ILO standards, providing examples from multiple countries and spotlighting a trade union–backed childcare cooperative initiative in Nablus in the State of Palestine.

PROSPECTS podcast - Refugees at Work

Refugee inclusion in practice: Experiences, outcomes, and impacts

This final episode of the series examines how the Humanitarian-Development-Peace Nexus (HDPN) shapes refugee livelihoods and host community economies. Svein Erik Stav (Fafo Institute for Labour and Social Research) and Tewodros Aragie Kebede...

PROSPECTS podcast - Refugees at Work

Refugee agency, livelihoods and inclusion

In the fifth episode Professor Alexander Betts (Oxford University) and Bisimwa Mulemangabo (Oxford Refugee-Led Research Hub) discuss refugee livelihoods, access to decent work, and the importance of recognizing refugee agency in shaping sustainable...

ILO report

Digitalization and artificial intelligence promise to boost jobs in the Arab States – but they must be managed inclusively

Report highlights need for policies that are inclusive for women, youth and vulnerable groups and ensure a just digital transition.

Greening the lands and building sustainable rural livelihoods in southern Lebanon

Enhancing rural livelihoods through sustainable agriculture, local employment, and climate-resilient infrastructure in the Southern Nabatieh area in southern Lebanon.

PROSPECTS podcast - Refugees at Work

How the ILO is redefining refugee livelihoods and advancing host community development

Nick Grisewood, Global Programme Manager for the ILO PROSPECTS Programme, joins the fourth podcast episode to discuss how the ILO has become a central actor in refugee responses and why access to decent work, skills and social protection is key for...

PROSPECTS podcast - Refugees at Work

Innovating refugee response: How the Netherlands built the PROSPECTS Partnership

In this episode, Ana Uzelac, Senior Policy Officer at the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs, discusses the origins and evolution of the PROSPECTS partnership. She highlights how innovative donor approaches can strengthen the...

Care Economy

New South4Care Platform launched to advance decent work in the care economy

Global initiative responds to ILO Resolution on Decent Work and the Care Economy, advancing the care economy agenda through South-South and Triangular Cooperation

PROSPECTS podcast

Young, displaced & determined: Refugee voices on rights to and at work

This special episode of the PROSPECTS podcast series features young refugee leaders sharing their perspectives on the right to work and the barriers they face to economic inclusion. Hasan Almatroud from Jordan and Shadya Abduljabbar from Ethiopia...

New ILO projects charts path towards the sustainable recovery of the vital textile sector in Syria

ILO gathers national stakeholders in Damascus to launch the "Weaving Hope" project which will work to revitalize Syria's garment and textile sector.

Weaving Hope project

ILO showcases project to bolster Syria’s textile sector

The ILO’s "Weaving Hope" project was showcased at the Khan Al-Harir Motex Exhibition, highlighting its impact on Syria’s garment and textile sector.

PROSPECTS podcast - Refugees at Work

The history of the ILO’s refugee engagement

In the second episode, we trace the International Labour Organization’s (ILO) historical engagement with refugee issues — from the post–World War I Russian refugee crisis to today’s debates on migration, labour, and displacement. Researcher and...

Beirut’s largest park transformed into a symbol of inclusion, sustainability and community life in Lebanon

The inauguration of Horsh Beirut’s first revitalization phase under the EU-funded ENABLE Programme marks a milestone in transforming the park into an accessible, vibrant and sustainable hub for all.