16-06-2021

His Excellency Mr. Jameel bin Mohammed Ali Humaidan, Minister of Labour and Social Development, participated, in his capacity as Chairman of the current session of the Ministerial Committee of Labour Ministers of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, in the 109th session of the International Labour Conference, convened by the International Labour Organization (ILO), headquartered in Geneva, via video conferencing. The ILO Director-General, Mr. Guy Ryder, attended the conference, along with labour ministers from countries worldwide, employers’ and workers’ organisations, trade unions, and experts from relevant organisations. The agenda of the current session included the report of the ILO Director-General on the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on labour markets and the efforts made to limit its economic and social repercussions, in addition to examining the issue of equality in work and non-discrimination, discussing strategic objectives related to social protection, and highlighting the importance of skills and continuous education for human resources development. His Excellency delivered a speech at the conference on behalf of the GCC countries, reviewing their efforts to address the repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic on Gulf labour markets. He also highlighted their commitment to international labour standards and to enhancing technical cooperation with the ILO, including endeavours to promote the growth and stability of labour markets, develop their systems, and achieve balance among the three production parties. His Excellency outlined the most prominent measures undertaken by GCC countries since the onset of the pandemic to harness their full potential in addressing its effects on labour markets. This included providing substantial financial packages targeting economic and social sectors to maintain stability in the labour market, protect the workforce, and preserve public health without discrimination between citizens and residents. He further noted that these measures limited the negative repercussions of the pandemic through fee exemptions, financial facilitation to preserve contractual relationships, ensuring the continuity of economic activities, and minimising layoffs. Consequently, GCC countries achieved positive results, recording some of the lowest unemployment rates associated with the pandemic. Turning to the Kingdom of Bahrain’s efforts, His Excellency stated that, under the directives of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, the country’s great king, may God protect and preserve him, and with the follow-up and support of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, may God protect him, the Kingdom launched a financial package exceeding US$12 billion. This initiative enhanced the efficiency of the health sector and ensured the continued provision of free medical services to citizens and residents without discrimination. He emphasised that the government spent more than US$1 billion to mitigate economic repercussions on institutions and individuals, thereby limiting layoffs of national workers in private sector establishments. He highlighted that the government covered workers' salaries in private sector establishments from April to December 2020 at varying rates and extended these salary payments into 2021. He also cited numerous initiatives supporting and encouraging individuals and society while expanding the scope of support programmes to those affected by the crisis—including the self-employed and those not registered with social insurance—through surplus funds from the Unemployment Insurance Fund, whose financial resources were used optimally to maintain the stability of national workers in their private sector jobs. His Excellency further noted the creation of a liquidity fund for the business sector, amounting to over US$530 million, to support financially affected establishments, ensuring they retained their workforce and averted layoffs, while enabling continuity of their commercial activities throughout this emergency. He reaffirmed the Kingdom of Bahrain’s commitment to international labour conventions and standards, underscoring that the rights of expatriate workers affected by the pandemic—like those of citizens—remain fully respected. He added that the government continues to uphold the principle of equality and non-discrimination between citizens and residents, in line with national efforts to confront these exceptional circumstances. Concluding his remarks, His Excellency Mr. Jameel bin Mohammed Ali Humaidan, Minister of Labour and Social Development, expressed the GCC countries’ support for the ILO Director-General’s proposal to adopt a Global Appeal for a People-Centred Recovery to overcome the COVID-19 crisis. He emphasised the importance of laying the groundwork for sustainable recovery and minimising the societal and economic losses resulting from this emerging disease. He called for the adoption of the GCC countries’ proposal for the ILO to issue a guide containing clear and practical principles to assist production parties and all relevant stakeholders. The Kingdom of Bahrain is a full member of the ILO Governing Body after being elected within the Government Team for 2017–2021, representing West Asian countries—a membership extended by one additional year. This reflects the Kingdom’s growing international stature, the confidence it inspires, and the appreciation and recognition of ILO member states for Bahrain’s efforts and outstanding achievements in the labour field. Through this membership, Bahrain has contributed to strengthening cooperation between West Asian countries and the ILO, leveraging technical expertise and exchanging experiences. This has helped advance labour fields, reinforcing social dialogue and partnership among the three production parties, and achieving best practices aligned with the sustainable development goals in these countries.