Al-Sudani Opens the 50th Arab Labor Conference in Baghdad

Baghdad-INA
 
Prime Minister Mohammed S. Al-Sudani inaugurated the 50th Arab Labor Conference this Saturday morning in Baghdad, which the capital will host from April 27 to May 4.
 
The Prime Minister's Media Office stated, in a statement received by the Iraqi News Agency (INA),”The opening ceremony was attended by dignitaries including the Secretary-General of the League of Arab States, the Director-General of the International Labor Organization, the Chairman of the Arab Labor Organization, Arab Labor Ministers, and heads of diplomatic missions.”
 
In his address, Prime Minister Al-Sudani praised the conference organizers, the agenda, and the reports to be discussed. He reflected on Baghdad's role 59 years ago as the birthplace of the Arab Labor Organization, where, in 1965, Arab Labor Ministers convened and agreed on the Arab Labor Charter and the draft constitution of the Arab Labor Organization, establishing a framework for labor and worker affairs under one umbrella.
 
Prime Minister Al-Sudani assured that the government had facilitated all means to ensure the conference's success, aiming for it to yield constructive recommendations, decisions, and support for the organization. He highlighted the significant support of the Iraqi government for the activities and programs of the Arab Labor Organization, referencing his time as Minister of Labor and Social Affairs.
 
The Prime Minister noted the conference's timing under challenging circumstances both regionally and globally, highlighting the ongoing aggression against The people in Gaza by occupation forces, violating international law and UN resolutions. He called on the international community and its institutions to act responsibly to stop this unjust war, based on humanitarian and ethical obligations set by international laws and resolutions.
 
Key points from Prime Minister Mohammed S. Al-Sudani's speech during the conference:
 
Our congratulations to workers worldwide for the upcoming International Workers' Day, wishing unions and labor organizations further progress and prosperity.
 
Global crises have impacted the global economy and the social, psychological, and economic conditions of the peoples of the Arab world, negatively affecting work productivity.
 
Arab Labor Conference in Baghdad bears additional responsibilities beyond those discussed in previous conferences.
 
It is imperative to improve the performance of labor market institutions and elements, and to establish a quality relationship between educational outputs and labor market needs.
 
We need to include women in the workforce as a vital productive force and for reducing child labor.
 
We stressed the importance of adopting new productive methods, enhancing the skills of workers and institutions, and fostering innovation and collaboration with modern technology.
 
The current government has launched several strategies and initiatives aimed at improving the situation of labor and workers.
 
Launched the "National Strategy to Prevent and Reduce Inequality in the World of Work for 2024-2028" in cooperation with the International Labor Organization.
 
Initiated employment and development initiatives for various groups, including the (Riyada) initiative, aimed at training youth and integrating them into the labor market.
 
The youth represent 60% of our society and are crucial to the workforce.
 
We established the Iraq Development Fund with substantial capital to create an investment-friendly environment providing thousands of job opportunities.
 
The success of the Baghdad Conference depends on the serious participation of the concerned parties and on social dialogue.
 
The government is planning for future economic sectors like green economy, digital economy, knowledge economy, and the blue economy, which includes water bodies and rivers.
 
We endeavor to modernize labor institutions to achieve a quantum leap in performance, legislation, oversight, and occupational safety in line with sustainable development goals.