Kuwait city: Acting Director of the Public Authority for Manpower Marzouq Al-Otaibi affirmed Tuesday the Gulf Cooperation Council's (GCC) commitment to enhancing joint labor efforts and addressing common challenges. His remarks came during the opening of the 11th meeting of GCC labor undersecretaries, hosted by Kuwait for one day.
According to Kuwait News Agency, Al-Otaibi stated that the meeting discusses key strategic issues related to Gulf labor markets, nationalization efforts, private sector employment, labor development, social protection, and women's labor rights. These topics are crucial for shaping the future of labor policies within the GCC.
Meanwhile, GCC Assistant Secretary General for Economic and Development Affairs Khaled Al-Sunaidi revealed that 24.6 million workers were employed in the GCC in the second quarter of 2024, with 19 million being expatriates, making up over 78 percent of the workforce. He emphasized the importance of finding a better balance between nationalization and the use of skilled labor.
Al-Sunaidi also highlighted that while progress has been made, global challenges require ongoing cooperation. He mentioned that the fourth industrial revolution and digital transformation necessitate a reevaluation of required skills, with studies indicating that 45 percent of traditional jobs may be affected within the next two decades.