Call to implement mandatory health cover for workers

While hailing the role of women trade unionists, the participants stressed on the need for memberships and providing training to them with the framework of joint programmes with regional and international federations.

Earlier, Hamad bin Khamis al Ameri, Under-secretary, Ministry of Manpower, said in his speech that the government is committed to developing labour legislations which are compatible with Arab and international standards. He said that the conference aims to establish the basic pillars that were adopted in the previous phase to enhance the representation of the forces working through trade unions and the General Federation of Workers. Al Ameri pointed out that trade union representation in the Sultanate has developed significantly in the recent years, as the number of trade unions has increased to 261 at the end of 2018 from 87 in 2010.

Also among the recommendations is reinforcing social dialogue with the three parties involved in the production process on one side and the local entities on the other to attain maximum cooperation as well as finding attractive working environment that is able to ensure stability and job security and to achieve sustainable development. This makes it necessary to continue conducting joint training programmes with the rest of the production parties and institutions based on constructive social dialogue.

The conference approved supporting all the national efforts aiming at establishing labour courts to improve the judicial system dedicated to the private sector, and address the issue of arbitrary dismissal and to settle other labour cases. There is also need for new legislations to provide more legal protection to the members of the trade unions.