Damascus, Jan. 11 (SANA) The Director-General of the Arab Labor Organization, Fayez al-Mutairi, confirmed that Syria’s return to the organization after a 15-year absence marks a fresh start to developing labor policies and strengthening partnerships between the government, workers, and employers, aiming to stabilize the labor market and ensure decent working conditions.
Speaking at a press conference organized by the General Federation of Trade Unions in Damascus on Sunday, al-Mutairi emphasized that the organization is deploying all its resources to support Syria’s labor sector. He announced that the Institute for Occupational Health and Safety in Damascus will reopen within two months, following an assessment of its needs, and will serve as a hub for professional training programs on workplace safety and health.
Al-Mutairi added that the organization has already begun implementing agreements signed with the General Federation of Workers’ Unions in Syria to safeguard workers’ rights and improve their conditions. The first training session, conducted last week in cooperation with the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor, focused on labor inspections, particularly child labor, and occupational health and safety.
Fawaz al-Ahmad, head of General Federation of Trade Unions in Syria, described Syria’s return to the organization as a milestone in reintegrating the country into the Arab labor system and restoring its role in shaping labor and social development policies.
Al-Ahmad added that resuming the organization’s activities in Damascus provides an opportunity to revisit labor issues, ensuring decisions are made through balanced tripartite dialogue rather than unilaterally, reinforcing market stability.
He also confirmed ongoing efforts to update labor legislation in line with Arab and international standards, with the new labor law addressing key worker concerns.
Founded in 1965 under the umbrella of the Arab League, the Arab Labor Organization is the first specialized Arab body focusing on labor and workers’ issues, with headquarters in Egypt and 21 member states.
