The National Council for Occupational Safety and Health (NCOSH) has met with the Executive Office of the Ministers of Labor in the GCC countries. This meeting took place on the evening of Monday, May 6, 2024, in conjunction with the Sixth Saudi Global Conference on Occupational Safety and Health.
The meeting was attended by Dr. Manal Azzi, the Global Team Lead on OSH at ILO, and Mr. Mohammed Al-Abdely, the General Director of the Executive Office of the GCC Ministers of Labor.
The meeting was commenced by Eng. Majed bin Ibrahim Al-Fuwaiz, the General Secretary of the National Council for Occupational Safety and Health. He delved into the Kingdom's OSH landscape, emphasizing policy, legislative, and regulatory efforts aimed at bolstering workplace safety and health standards. He also emphasized the importance of providing a safe, healthy, and attractive working environment for employees.
Furthermore, Mr. Mohammed Al-Abdely, the General Director of the Executive Office of the GCC Ministers of Labor, highlighted the role of the Executive Office in coordinating labor affairs among the GCC countries. He emphasized the importance of cooperation in enhancing occupational safety and health, as well as unifying systems and procedures in this field.
Moreover, Dr. Manal Azzi stressed the importance of compliance with International Labour Organization Conventions No. 155 and No. 187 and their impact on improving the working environment and ensuring the safety of Employees. These conventions represent the fundamental principles that must be adhered to in order to promote health and safety in the workplace through the application of standards, procedures, and the adoption of effective policies. She also emphasized on the commitment to achieving and implementing these conventions, as it will reflects a safe and healthy work society that enhances productivity and contribute to comprehensive and sustainable development.
During the meeting, the current status of occupational safety and health in the GCC countries was discussed, as well as the outcomes of the first meeting of the Occupational Safety and Health Team. Strategic initiatives were presented to the GCC Ministers of Labor Committee in the field of occupational safety and health, aiming to enhance legislation and procedures for occupational safety and health in the workplace. These initiatives aim to raise standards in creating a safe, healthy, and sustainable working
environment, and to reduce work-related risks through effective governance that contributes to the stability of the workforce and the enhancement of productivity. They also discussed regional and international cooperation between the GCC countries and the International Labour Organization.
