OIC 4th labor ministers' conf. kicks off in Jeddah

JEDDAH, Feb 22 (KUNA) -- The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) 4th Conference for Ministers of Labor kicked off in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on Thursday under the theme "Developing a Common Strategy for Manpower Development." The choice of the conference theme reiterates OIC's eagerness to assist job seekers in member states, and reflects the attention given to developing personal and organizational skills, knowledge and skills as well as facilitating access to the labor market, OIC Secretary General Dr. Yousef Al-Othaimeen told the meeting.
The OIC has developed three legal frameworks to harmonize the labor standards and practices among the OIC members, namely the Draft OIC Agreement on Mutual Recognition Arrangement of Skilled Workforce, the Draft OIC Standard Bilateral Agreement on Exchange of Manpower, and the Draft OIC Labor Market Strategy, Al-Othaimeen said.
He also called for the implementation of the Executive Program for the OIC Framework for Cooperation on Labor, Employment and Social Protection.
The program includes the development of a database of migrant workers, the setting up of an OIC labor and professional training observatory, the creation of a job market information unit, and the provision of legal protection for employees as well as the development of a labor market legislation, Al-Othaimeen explained.
In the meantime, he urged the member states to expedite the signing and ratification of the Statute of OIC Labor Center, the Organization's latest specialized institution, to be based in Baku in the Republic of Azerbaijan.
The OIC chief thanked Saudi Arabia for hosting the session, which demonstrates the Kingdom's keenness on promoting issues likely to "elevate Islam and Muslims and defend their legitimate causes, as well as their continued support for the Organization as the host State." (end) nsa.sma.msa