MLSD Minister: Arab and international Labor Standards Contribute in Building Relations Between Production Parties

31-03-2021

Under the patronage of His Excellency the Minister of Labour and Social Development, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Labour Market Regulatory Authority, Mr. Jameel bin Mohammed Ali Humaidan, the Arab Labour Organisation (ALO) and the Arab Centre for Labour Administration and Employment (ACLAE) in the sisterly Republic of Tunisia hosted a virtual course entitled “Arab Labour Standards.” The programme targeted members of the Bahrain Free Labour Unions Federation (Al Hurr) and was delivered via videoconference. The session drew high level participation, including: • Mr. Fayez Ali Al Mutairi, Director General of the ALO; • Mr. Yaqoub Yousef Mohammed, Executive Council Chairman of Bahrain Free Labour Unions Federation (Al Hurr); • representatives of trade union boards of directors; • labour federations and organisations from sister Arab states; • experts and specialists across multiple labour disciplines. The specialised course is designed to strengthen union awareness within the Kingdom of Bahrain and to reinforce constructive labour relations among the three production partners—government, employers and workers. It focused on three core themes: 1. Arab labour standards – objectives, defining characteristics, drafting stages and monitoring mechanisms; 2. Member state obligations under the ALO framework; 3. The role of Arab labour standards in safeguarding workers’ basic rights and ensuring comprehensive protection. In his opening address, Mr. Humaidan praised the ALO–ACLAE initiative, emphasising that promoting Arab labour standards and cultivating balanced employer–worker relations are essential to boosting productivity, market stability and sustainable growth across the region’s labour markets. Addressing participants, His Excellency Mr. Jameel bin Mohammed Ali Humaidan noted that the exceptional public‑health measures and lockdowns imposed worldwide to curb the spread of Coronavirus (COVID‑19) have inevitably affected employment across Arab and global labour markets. He underscored the critical role that Arab and international labour standards play in such crises: by stipulating clear conditions and controls, these standards safeguard workers’ rights and workplace safety without compromising employers’ interests. Describing them as a primary source of national labour legislation, he urged closer collaboration among the three production partners—government, employers and workers—to keep labour markets stable and to weather the pandemic with minimal disruption. Mr. Fayez Ali Al‑Mutairi, Director‑General of the Arab Labour Organisation (ALO), echoed this view, explaining that Arab labour standards are tailored to the specific characteristics of regional labour markets. He stressed the importance of full adherence to these standards to protect the rights of both workers and employers, thereby fostering a safe, stimulating work environment. The ALO, he added, continues to coordinate with all three production parties in member states to ensure optimal implementation, with the ultimate goal of achieving lasting stability and growth across Arab labour markets. Mr. Yaqoub Yousef Mohammed, Executive Council Chairman of the Bahrain Free Labour Unions Federation (Al Hurr), highlighted the value of such forums in raising awareness of Arab labour standards and ensuring their consistent application through national legislation aligned with both Arab and international norms. He commended the ALO for equipping trade‑union practitioners with up‑to‑date knowledge of regional and global statutes, thereby strengthening the performance of union organisations throughout the Arab world.