CAIRO – 7 June 2022: Egyptian Minister of Manpower Mohamed Saafan met with new Director-General of the International Labour Organization (ILO) to discuss priorities of the ministry’s work with the ILO in the next phase.
The meeting covered some visions for the proposed projects and the timetable for their implementation, and tackled the provision of decent work conditions for laborers, in addition to providing assistance, expertise, and technical and material support in the fields of work and workers.
The meeting came on the sidelines of the 109th session of the International Labor Conference currently being held at the United Nations Palace and the International Labor Organization in the Swiss city – Geneva.
A total of 5,000 delegates from 187 member states of the international organization will participate in the session, representing governments, business owners and workers.
At the outset of the meeting, the Minister of Manpower Mohamed Saafan congratulated Gilbert Hongbo on his assumption of the position of Director-General of the International Labor Organization after Guy Ryder, stressing that this is an addition to the African continent.
Saafan reviewed the achievements made in labor and union laws in Egypt since 2016 until now, and referred to some projects that are being implemented between the organization and the Ministry of Manpower, the most important of which are the project to strengthen labor relations and its institutions in Egypt, and the country program for decent work.
For his part, the new Director-General of the International Labor Organization expressed his happiness with the progress achieved in the international labor standards including both “union and labor laws” in Egypt, stressing that he is fully prepared to complete and develop the ongoing cooperation with Egypt.
The Director General also expressed his gratitude for the support and confidence granted to him by the Egyptian state to perform his mission, noting that he relies on the support of the Egyptian Embassy for him and the competence of the Egyptian diplomatic apparatus.
The Director General said that he is following with interest the role of the International Labor Organization office in Cairo and the efforts exerted regarding industrial relations, pointing to the importance of developing cooperation between the organization and the Egyptian state.
Gilbert Hongbo expressed the importance of the role played by Egypt as a country in Africa, stressing that this role must be a voice for Africa, and that he is ready to communicate permanently with the Egyptian embassy for the success of this mission.
The Director-General also stressed that the success of the Climate Conference depends on everyone, and that the ILO will make every effort to get involved in this matter.
Egypt Today
