By Tamer Abul-Ainain
GENEVA, March 31 (KUNA) -- Kuwait granted on Monday the International Labor Organization half a million US dollars bringing its total contributions dedicated to promoting decent work and social justice in the occupied Palestinian territory and the Arab States to USD three million since 2009. Kuwait contributed USD 500,000 to support ILO's Decent Work Agenda in the occupied Palestinian territory (oPt).
Jamal Al-Ghunaim, Ambassador of the Permanent Mission of the State of Kuwait to the United Nations, made the contribution to ILO's Regional Director for the Arab States, Nada Al-Nashef, on side-lines of the ILO Governing Body, the tripartite executive meeting of the International Labour Office in Geneva, Switzerland.
In a statement to Kuwait News Agency (KUNA), Al-Nashif acknowledged Kuwait's steadfast support to the ILO and the oPt, adding that the most recent contribution enables the ILO to consolidate its technical support to the Palestinian constituents under the umbrella of new Decent Work Programme which aims at Promoting labour rights and governance, enhancing employment and livelihood opportunities, extending social security coverage and social protection.
"Kuwait's financial support to the ILO in the oPt has so far helped the organization revitalise the Palestinian Fund for Employment and Social Protection, implement the national roll-out of its flagship entrepreneurship programme "Know About Business," build skills capacities in Gaza to assist post-conflict recovery and reconstruction, as well as improve tripartism and industrial relations", she added. Al-Nashef explained that the new funding will enhance the impact of the Decent Work Programme and will support in particular youth employment programmes in Gaza and the strengthening of Workers' and Employers' organizations.
"Kuwait's timely contributions have been critical for the sustainability of our interventions and the establishment of the oPt's first ILO Decent Work Programme, launched last year with our Palestinian partners," said Al-Nashef. Decent Work Programmes are the main vehicle for delivery of ILO support to tripartite constituents in order to create jobs, extend social protection, enhance social dialogue and guarantee rights at work. Ambassador Al-Ghuneim's told KUNA "this donation comes in the context of Kuwait's support for the Palestinian people and consistent our state policy in dealing with the problems of our Palestinian brothers because of the occupation, which led to widespread unemployment among significant segments of a community".
Al-Ghuneim pointed out that "the Kuwaiti contribution is the only Arab donation to fund the programs of the ILO in the Palestinian territories, dealing with the pressing problems experienced by the Palestinian labor market because of the Israeli occupation." (end) ta.rk KUNA 311219 Mar 14NNNN