Saudi Arabia to Bring Together 45 Ministers, 200 Speakers to Boost Global Jobs
The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development is holding the second edition of the Global Labor Market Conference (GLMC) in Riyadh on January 29-30.
The event aims to establish a key dialogue platform to discuss opportunities and challenges and provide solutions for the future of global labor markets.
Abuthnain told Asharq Al-Awsat that the ministerial roundtable will serve as an annual global platform bringing together policymakers, industry leaders, and decision-makers to discuss labor market challenges, solutions, and relevant developments worldwide.
Over 45 labor ministers from around the world will meet at the event to discuss innovative policies aimed at improving working conditions and youth employment, he added.
The conference will serve as a platform for sharing best practices and discussing challenges and successes in global labor markets, including Saudi Arabia, which is seeing major advancements in policy and a competitive work environment.
The ministerial meeting also aims to 'strengthen international cooperation to create more job opportunities for youth worldwide,' Abuthnain added. The meeting is primarily a 'platform for exchanging ideas and experiences.'
Building on discussions from the first meeting, the second session will continue to explore previous topics, incorporating new insights and developments over the past year, and looking ahead to future trends. This will give participating countries the chance to share their successes and challenges.
The ministerial meeting will encourage ongoing dialogue to strengthen collective efforts and make use of research and studies to support the future of global labor markets.
With around 200 local and international speakers, the conference will focus on six main themes: continuous learning, the impact of digital transformation on labor markets, wage growth, and the importance of skills-based employment.
Other topics will include productivity, the role of mobile workforces in economic growth, youth challenges, and the contribution of small and medium businesses to innovation and digital transformation.
The conference has strategic partnerships with over 45 countries, as well as organizations like the International Labour Organization, the World Bank, the UN Development Program, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development and the Misk Foundation.
It will feature experts from think tanks like Combining Trust International, the Korea Labor Institute, and the Indian Labor Economics Association, who will contribute ideas and solutions to common labor market challenges.
Abuthnain believes the diverse group of leaders and experts from around the world will have a significant impact on improving youth employment opportunities.
'Our goal is to find solutions that benefit not only our region but also provide a model for global cooperation,' he told Asharq Al-Awsat.
'We expect participating countries to learn from each other based on their unique needs. This conference is a global platform for sharing ideas and experiences, with a common goal of supporting today's youth and future generations,' he added.
Saudi Arabia's labor market is supported by Vision 2030, which has helped achieve historic successes, including reducing the unemployment rate to 3.7% and driving technological progress, Abuthnain said.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Saudi Gazette
7 days ago
- Saudi Gazette
HR Ministry: Saudization instrumental in employing 2.5 million citizens in private sector
Saudi Gazette report RIYADH — The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development stated that Saudization programs and support provided to the private sector have resulted in generating jobs for a record number of Saudis in this sector, reaching 2.48 million Saudi men and women. The ministry said that the Human Resources Development Fund (HADAF) supported this growth by employing 143,000 Saudi citizens during the first quarter of 2025, while the money spent on training, empowerment, and guidance programs amounted to approximately SR1.83 billion. The ministry indicated that the unemployment rate among Saudis dropped to its lowest level, since the beginning of statistical monitoring, reaching 6.3 percent, and this reflects the cumulative impact of national programs and initiatives aimed at developing the labor market and empowering national cadres. The ministry noted that this progress is a continuation of the development path the Kingdom is witnessing in various fields. It previously exceeded the 7 percent target of the Kingdom's Vision 2030, six years early, and is confidently moving towards the new 5 percent target, in light of the directives and updates recently announced. The ministry noted the record levels of Saudi women's participation in the labor market, with their unemployment rate falling to 10.5 percent—a historic low—compared to 11.9 percent in the fourth quarter of 2024, representing an annual decrease of 3.7 percentage points compared to the same period last year. This confirms the impact of programs and initiatives that include women's economic empowerment, providing a stimulating and safe work environment, and enhancing their ability to effectively contribute to national growth. The ministry added that these results embody the impact of the National Labor Market Strategy, adopted by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development, which aims to develop policies and regulations, empower the national workforce, and strengthen partnerships with the private sector and relevant entities.
Saudi Gazette
01-07-2025
- Saudi Gazette
3rd phase of e-transfer of domestic workers' salary begins on Tuesday
Saudi Gazette report RIYADH — The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development announced that the third phase of the electronic salary transfer service for domestic workers through digital wallets came into force on Tuesday, July 1. The third phase applies to employers with three or more domestic workers. This follows the mandatory implementation of the second phase, which began on January 1 of this year for employers with more than four domestic workers. The ministry is implementing the mandatory system of e-transfer of salaries of domestic workers in a phased manner. The e-transfer of salary service will be applied to those with two or more workers starting October 1, 2025, and will include all domestic workers by January 1, 2026. This initiative aims to guarantee the rights of domestic workers regarding their salaries, support the ministry's efforts to develop the domestic workers sector, and enhance the rights of both employers and domestic workers. The ministry emphasized the importance of the electronic salary transfer service of domestic workers, as it represents a pivotal step toward enhancing transparency and reliability in the wage payment process, facilitating it through digital wallets and approved banks through the Musaned platform. This service contributes to preserving the rights of all parties to the contractual relationship. It is noteworthy that the service of paying domestic workers' salaries through the specified official channels includes a number of advantages for the employer and the worker, and enhances the proof of salaries for domestic workers, and facilitates the employer's completion of procedures related to the worker upon the end of the contractual relationship or upon his travel. It also guarantees the worker the receipt of salaries on a regular and fixed basis, and facilitates even transfer of the salary to his family in his country, directly through the same specified official channels with complete ease and security. The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development introduced this salary transfer system through the Musaned platform, its official website for household services and home employment program.
Argaam
15-06-2025
- Argaam
East Pipes CEO Mohammed Al-Shaheen resigns
East Pipes Integrated Company for Industry said Mohammed Al-Shaheen resigned from his position as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and member of the Executive Committee, effective June 16, citing personal reasons. In a statement to Tadawul, the company stated that any developments regarding the appointment or assignment of a new CEO will be disclosed in due course.
