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GCC to rationalize recruitment of foreign workers

JEDDAH: Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries have jointly decided to rationalize recruitment of foreign workers as part of their efforts to create more job opportunities for their nationals.

The decision was taken during a meeting of the labor ministers of GCC states in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday.

"Adequate regulations should be made to rationalize recruitment of foreign workers, especially for sectors that could be run by manpower from the local labor market," the meeting said.

The meeting, which was attended by Labor Minister Adel Fakeih, also decided to confront the challenges that affect employment of nationals by adopting a package of suitable nationalization policies.

It authorized the executive office of the ministers to follow up on employment of nationals in member countries as per the program.

Member countries have been asked to provide correct employment statistics in order to ensure whether progress has been made or not.

"GCC countries have to coordinate their stances and work together as one group in issues related to contracted expatriate workers," a statement issued by the meeting said.

The meeting stressed the need to implement economic projects that create more jobs for nationals and achieve sustainable growth.

It called for a strategic move to achieve harmony between economic and social development policies and labor market policies. It emphasized the importance of employing more nationals in value-added sectors.

"Recruitment of foreign workers is a complementary factor and not an alternative to employing nationals," the ministers said.

"No foreigner should be employed in a job except after making sure there is no qualified national to take up that vacancy," they stressed.

The ministers agreed to develop a social protection system to confront the negative effects of unemployment, such as an insurance program against unemployment and loss of job.

They also called for developing strategic partnerships with business owners and their organizations in all fields related to the labor market.

The meeting also called for unifying qualification systems and professional examinations in member countries in order to create an environment of fair competition.

The ministers authorized the executive office to review GCC laws relating to household servants on the basis of a global agreement endorsed by the international labor conference in Geneva this year.

The meeting appointed Aqeel Al-Jassem director general of the executive office from January 2012 to January 2016 and approved the Kingdom's request to host the next ministerial meeting.

© Arab News 2011

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