RIYADH, 12 November 2007 — Support for women to be more socially active and participate more in social development programs in the six Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states, as well as initiatives to establish a unified Gulf data center for the disabled and a discussion of ways to better protect children against violence are among the topics to be discussed at the GCC labor and social affairs ministers’ meeting tomorrow.
The 24th Labor and Social Affairs Ministers’ Meeting of GCC countries is in preparation for the upcoming GCC summit to be held in Doha next month under the auspices of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah. The Kingdom is currently the president of the GCC summit.
“The meeting is expected to discuss a report about the implementation of Arab agendas for supporting disability between 2004-2013,” Social Affairs Minister Abdul Mohsen Al-Akkas said. “In addition, the meeting will highlight the role of international organizations in the social field and a report on the future vision in the social sector for GCC states,” he added. Furthermore, he said the meeting would highlight the role played by non-government social centers in the Gulf countries.
Regarding Arab accords on the protection of children and women against domestic violence, the minister said the meeting would discuss a special report on domestic violence in Gulf countries, its social impact and problems. Another report on ways to further support women in social development in the six Gulf countries will also be discussed by the ministers, Al-Akkas said.
The progress of social development centers in member countries will be highlighted at the meeting, said Al-Akkas. Employment of locals and supporting local projects will be another issue to be discussed tomorrow. “We will discuss the implementation mechanisms for recruitment of domestic manpower in the six Gulf countries,” the minister said.
Other important topics are the National Project for Employment in the Kingdom of Bahrain and safety and health issues in the labor sector. Another report expected to be discussed is on ways to support enterprises in GCC countries.
Dr. Abdul Wahid Al-Humaid, deputy labor minister, said the meeting was important at a time of regional and international changes that affect the labor and manpower sector in GCC states.
“We have a duty in coming out with special recommendations that will ease the way for the ministers’ meeting during their discussions to make the right decisions,” he said during a meeting of GCC deputy ministers yesterday.
Al-Humaid also called for more training and rehabilitation programs for Gulf citizens to better prepare them for the requirements of the global labor market.
The deputy ministers will continue their meeting today and are expected to come up with a number of recommendations to be submitted to the ministers for discussion and approval.
