Geneva: The Permanent Mission of the State of Qatar in Geneva, in cooperation with the Executive Bureau of the Council of Ministers of Labour and Social Affairs in the GCC States and the International Labor Organization (ILO), organized a high-level event held at the headquarters of the ILO in Geneva. This event, occurring on the sidelines of the 355th session of its Governing Body, marked the launch of a study highlighting the progress made by the GCC countries in building effective wage protection systems (WPS).
According to Qatar News Agency, the event witnessed a high-level attendance, featuring keynote addresses by several dignitaries, including HE Minister of Labor Dr. Ali bin Saeed bin Samikh Al Marri, HE ILO Director-General Gilbert Houngbo, and HE Mr. Mohammed Hassan Al Obaidli, Director-General of the Executive Office of the Council of Ministers of Labor of the GCC. These speeches underscored the significance of the study and the progress made in the region.
In her keynote remarks at the panel discussion, HE Permanent Representative of the State of Qatar to the United Nations Office in Geneva, Dr. Hind Abdul Rahman Al Muftah, emphasized the effective interdependence and integration of wage protection mechanisms in the State of Qatar. She highlighted the priority placed on enhancing the protection of workers' rights and establishing fair labor practices.
Dr. Al Muftah noted that the Ministry of Labor in Qatar has adopted an integrated system, which includes the WPS, grievance mechanisms, and the Workers' Support and Insurance Fund. This system ensures effective protection at all stages, promoting decent work, ensuring compliance with laws, and reflecting Qatar's commitment to a fair and transparent labor market.
The joint study reviews the significant steps taken by the GCC countries to ensure timely and accurate wage payments. By establishing and developing WPS that comply with international labor standards, the region aims to promote transparency and accountability in wage payment practices, which the ILO considers a pioneering innovation at the regional level.