His Excellency Engineer Ahmed bin Sulaiman Al-Rajhi, Minister of Human Resources and Social Development, met on 4^th June 2024 with the International Labour Organization (ILO) Director-General Gilbert Houngbo in Geneva to certify Saudi Arabia's ratification of the Promotional Framework for Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 2006 (No. 187).

During their discussions, both leaders reviewed significant developments in global labor markets and stressed the importance of collaborative efforts to create effective policies that protect workers' rights and regulate labor relations in a rapidly changing work environment.

Minister Al-Rajhi highlighted the Kingdom's major achievements in occupational safety and health, emphasizing the importance of ongoing partnership with the ILO. He commended the organization's active participation in the first edition of the Global Labor Market Conference, which took place in Riyadh at the end of last year.

"This significant step reflects our commitment to ensuring the highest standards of safety and health in our workplaces. By aligning with international best practices, we aim to safeguard our workforce, enhance productivity, and contribute to sustainable economic growth. This ratification underscores our dedication to creating a safer and healthier work environment for all employees in the Kingdom," said His Excellency the Minister.

The framework was recently classified as one of the core conventions by the ILO, deemed essential for establishing national frameworks and principles concerning occupational safety and health. 

Saudi Arabia's ratification of this convention is part of its ongoing efforts to enhance its labor market through various reforms and initiatives aimed at creating an attractive and competitive labor environment. It reaffirms the Kingdom's proactive role in aligning with international labor standards to ensure a healthy and safe work environment for all workers.

The meeting took place at the 112th session of the International Labour Conference (ILC) in Geneva, which has drawn over 5,000 delegates from 187 member countries. The Saudi delegation, led by His Excellency Al-Rajhi, is actively engaged in key discussions on global labor issues.

Throughout the ILC session, which runs until June 14, delegates will address critical topics including the impact of climate change on labor, the advancement of decent work, and the dynamics of the care economy. A special focus this year is the launch of the Global Alliance for Social Justice, an initiative aimed at promoting social justice worldwide.

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