The Minister of Labor Calls for a Common Arab Vision for Employment to Build Effective Development Policies

SadaNews - Minister of Labor Dr. Inas Al-Atari participated in the Arab regional preparatory meeting for the second global summit on social development in Tunisia, during the fourth working session entitled "Employment and Full and Productive Employment in the Arab Region," which aims to provide social justice and social protection in the labor and employment sector.

Dr. Al-Atari emphasized during her speech that the issue of employment is one of the prominent challenges facing policymakers in our Arab world, amid rising unemployment rates, particularly among youth and women, the weak capacity of national economies to create sufficient and decent job opportunities, alongside the expansion of the informal sector, and increasing impacts arising from economic and political crises.

Dr. Al-Atari pointed out that we in the Arab world need to formulate inclusive national employment policies based on a long-term vision, integrating employment into the core of economic, social, and financial policies.

The Minister of Labor added, "The current phase necessitates us to enhance investment in the real economy, particularly in the sectors of agriculture, industry, and sustainable services, due to their significant capacity to generate real and sustainable job opportunities."

In Palestine, Dr. Al-Atari noted that the vision for employment crystallizes in "achieving full and productive employment that guarantees freedom of choice for job seekers, especially youth and women," as the ministry continues to work on inclusive national employment policies built on genuine partnership between the government, the private sector, and civil society, relying on:
- Supporting the productive local economy, especially in agriculture and small industries.
- Transitioning to a digital and green economy.
- Promoting entrepreneurship.
- Supporting youth and women.
- Providing financing and incubation tools.
- Developing the system of education and vocational and technical training in line with market needs and future trends.

The Minister of Labor added, "We place great importance on the social and solidarity economy by supporting cooperatives and community initiatives, which today provide job opportunities for thousands of Palestinians, and we are currently working on completing the draft social security law in partnership with the three production parties, ensuring dignity, protection, and stability for workers.

Dr. Al-Atari called for the provision of a common Arab vision for employment, based on coordinating efforts, exchanging experiences, and enhancing the role of regional institutions to support Arab countries in building effective development policies in the field of labor and employment.