Mr. Ahmed Aboul Gheit, the Secretary-General of the League of Arab States, took part in the inauguration of the 50th session of the Arab Labour Conference, convened in Baghdad, on 27 April.
Gamal Roshdy, the spokesperson for the Secretary-General, said that Mr. Aboul Gheit delivered a speech expressing gratitude to the Iraqi government, represented by the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs, and the Arab Labour Organisation for the meticulous organisation of the conference. He underscored the profound significance of this session being held in Baghdad, a city that hosted the inaugural session 59 years ago, where the organisation's constitution was ratified.
Roshdy highlighted that the Secretary-General dedicated a significant portion of his speech to addressing the plight of Palestinian workers and the atrocities they endure. He emphasised that while the Arab region has made notable strides in social protection and upholding union rights, Palestine remains an exception due to the harsh realities imposed by the Israeli occupation. He underscored that these dire circumstances have worsened significantly since 7 October, with the occupation systematically undermining Palestinian industries and depriving the populace of their capabilities over decades.
During his address, Mr. Aboul Gheit condemned the glaring double standards in international dealings with Israel, citing deliberate attacks on aid workers, the targeting of ambulances, and the conversion of hospitals, schools, and shelters into sites of mass casualties. He questioned the continued absence of Israeli accountability on the global stage.
Mr. Aboul Gheit stressed that safeguarding Palestinian rights is a collective responsibility, urging international organisations to act within their mandates. He specifically called upon the International Labour Organisation to engage with the emergency plan put forth by the Palestinian government aimed at revitalising the labour sector. This plan is set to be presented at the organisation's conference in June.
Mr. Aboul Gheit also voiced his eagerness to convene a donor conference, a decision endorsed by the organisation's Board of Directors, aimed at promptly supporting employment assistance initiatives in Palestine.
The official spokesperson highlighted Mr. Aboul Gheit's stance that the repercussions of the devastating Israeli assault on Gaza extend beyond the staggering loss of lives to encompass the injured, the unemployed, and millions of Palestinian children facing the prospect of a compromised education, hindering their access to future employment opportunities.
The international community raised concerns over Israeli efforts to undermine UNRWA, reiterating its plea to donor nations that suspended funding to reconsider their positions. It stressed that sustaining UNRWA's operations is not just a moral imperative but also a humanitarian obligation.
Furthermore, it's noteworthy that the Secretary-General held a meeting on the sidelines of the conference with Mr. Gilbert Houngbo, Director-General of the International Labour Organisation. Their discussions revolved around advancing collaboration between their respective organisations and enhancing social justice and protection systems across the Arab region. Additionally, they addressed the imperative of safeguarding the rights of Palestinian workers in the occupied territories, a topic slated for discussion at the upcoming International Labour Conference session in June.
