Arab Labor Conference discusses preserving water bodies, empowering disabled

CAIRO – 14 April 2019: The proceedings of the 46th Arab Labor Conference was launched on Sunday in the presence of 17 Arab ministers and other labor officials to discuss vital issues including managing water bodies, and involving the disabled in labor market.

The conference runs from April 14-21 in Cairo under the auspices of Egypt's President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi.

The conference will address the report of the director general of the Arab Labor Organization, entitled "Labor Relations and the Requirements of Sustainable Development", to discuss the future of the Arab labor markets and the situation of the workforce, the role of the real partnership between the three parties of production represented by governments, employers, and workers.

The conference will also discuss technical issues including the importance of preserving and managing water bodies in order to optimize their investment, which can consequently provide many jobs, especially since Arab countries have thousands of kilometers of coastline.

While the second issuefocuses on the role of modern technology in involving people with disabilities in the labor market, as achieving comprehensive and sustainable development requires the integration of all components of society.

This year, the conference will witness the election of the director general of the Giza-based Arab Labor Organization and a special session on the situation of Palestinian workers and people. Also, a number of successful Arab entrepreneurs are set to be honored.


The Arab Labor Conference is an opportunity for the three parties to meet, said Mariam al-Aqeel, chairman of the Arab Labor Organization and Kuwait's minister of state for economic affairs, in her speech in the conference.

The conference gives the three parties represented in governments, employers and workers, the opportunity to consult and discuss labor issues, combat unemployment, and review modern modes of operation.

Aqeelsaid that the current technological development prompts to discuss advanced methods of upgrading the Arab labor markets to achieve sustainable development andtransition to a green economy.

The green economy aims to reduce environmental risks and achieve sustainable development.

"… To be green, an economy must not only be efficient, but also fair. Fairness implies recognizing global and country level equity dimensions, particularly in assuring a just transition to an economy that is low-carbon, resource efficient, and socially inclusive," the 2011 UNEP Green Economy Report says.

Aqeel pointed out that the conference will witness a special session to expose the negative practices of the Israeli occupation forces against the Palestinian people and the right of the Palestinian people tohaveJerusalem as their capital.