Lebanese Labor Minister Meets Arab Labor Organization to Boost Cooperation and Support Recovery

Lebanon's Minister of Labor, Mohamed Haidar, met with Faiz Ali Al-Mutairi, the Director-General of the Arab Labor Organization, at the organization's headquarters in Cairo. Haidar was accompanied by a delegation from the ministry. The discussions focused on several mutual interest issues and ways to strengthen cooperation between the Lebanese Ministry of Labor and the Arab Labor Organization to benefit workers and employers and support Lebanon's economic recovery efforts.

During the meeting, Haidar presented a detailed report prepared by the Ministry of Labor outlining the violations and damages caused by the Israeli aggression against Lebanon. The report specifically addressed the impact on the labor sector, economic and productive institutions, and the labor market. Haidar reviewed the documented losses based on official figures approved by the Lebanese state and emphasized the importance of submitting this report promptly to the International Labor Organization to utilize it in international forums.

The minister also expressed gratitude to the Arab Labor Organization and its Director-General for their support of Lebanon during this critical period and for their swift response to the ministry's request for cooperation on this matter. Additionally, he acknowledged their support in launching specialized training programs for the Ministry of Labor staff, particularly in labor inspection, governance, and flexible work, which aim to improve the ministry's performance and strengthen its institutional capacities.

The meeting further addressed mechanisms to support Lebanon in the post-war phase by preparing a joint vision to enhance economic sectors, create new job opportunities, and update the labor market study to align with the requirements of the recovery and economic revival stage.

Among the key topics discussed, Haidar proposed holding a consultative meeting of Arab labor ministers in Beirut to mobilize Arab support for Lebanon's labor sector and establish practical mechanisms to assist economic recovery efforts and reinforce the resilience of Lebanon's labor market. This proposal was welcomed by the Director-General of the Arab Labor Organization, Faiz Ali Al-Mutairi, who expressed his full support for the initiative and promised to follow up on it and coordinate with Arab countries to ensure its success.

Al-Mutairi confirmed that the Arab Labor Organization has received the Lebanese report and will give it special attention. The organization will work to support it in various Arab and international forums, fulfilling its responsibility to assist member states and advocate for Arab labor issues. He also stressed the organization's readiness to provide various forms of technical and advisory support to Lebanon and to expand joint cooperation areas in the upcoming phase to support institutions, enhance the Ministry of Labor's capabilities, and accompany the economic recovery process.