Pushing for joint GCC cooperation

TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

Bahrain has stressed the importance of cooperation and exchange of expertise to improve labour markets’ regulations and unify labour and development policies in GCC states.

This comes as Labour Minister Jameel bin Muhammad Ali Humaidan inaugurated the new headquarters of the Executive Bureau of the Council of Ministers of Labour and Ministers of Social Affairs in GCC States, in the presence of Jassim Mohammed Al Budaiwi, Secretary General of the GCC Council.

The ministers, GCC Secretary General and guests were briefed at the event on the achievements and projects of the executive office in the labour and social sectors, and were taken on a tour of the new headquarters.

Humaidan affirmed Bahrain’s keenness to accomodate the Executive Bureau of the Council of Ministers of Labour and Ministers of Social Affairs in the GCC States since its establishment, and to provide all forms of support to enhance joint GCC work.

The Executive Bureau of the Council of Ministers of Labour and Ministers of Social Affairs in GCC States is one of the institutions that resulted from joint GCC cooperation as an embodiment of the unity of history, future, values, national belonging, common interests, similarity of systems, and social, economic and cultural life.

The Executive Bureau was established by a decision issued by the Ministers of Labour and Social Affairs in the GCC states at the meeting held in Manama in 1978. Humaidan praised the General Secretariat of the GCC Council and its Secretary-General for their continuous efforts to further enhance joint GCC work and support for labour ministers in the GCC states.

Al Budaiwi stressed the bureau’s role in achieving joint GCC cooperation in labour and social affairs sectors. The executive bureau’s role, as a technical arm of the General Secretariat of the GCC, is to provide studies and research that serve Gulf citizens in the field of labour, manpower and social affairs.

Dr. Amer bin Mohammad Al Hajri, Director General of the Executive Bureau, affirmed the keenness to promote joint GCC work, noting Bahrain’s advanced support for joint GCC action.

He expressed his sincere appreciation to the Kingdom, represented by the Ministry of Labour and the Ministry of Social Development, for their efforts that led to the transfer of the executive bureau to the new headquarters in the Seef District.