Syria took part in the 103rd session of the Board of Directors of the Arab Labor Organization (ALO), which opened on Saturday, October 11, in Cairo. The session was chaired by ALO Director General Fayez Ali al-Mutairi and attended by representatives of governments, employers, and workers from member Arab states.
In his remarks, Fawaz al-Ahmad, Syria’s representative and President of the General Federation of Trade Unions, reaffirmed his country’s support for all initiatives that strengthen Arab unity and promote cooperation among trade unions to address the region’s economic and social challenges.
Ahmad, who serves as a member of ALO’s Board of Directors for the 2025–2027 term, praised the organization’s role in empowering Arab workers, improving vocational training, and facilitating the exchange of expertise among member states. He reiterated Syria’s commitment to implementing ALO resolutions advancing labor solidarity and protecting workers’ rights throughout the Arab world.
Arab Solidarity with Palestine and Syria
During the opening session, the council unanimously re-elected Egypt’s Minister of Labor Muhammad Gubran, as president of the organization’s board. Sheikh Rashid bin Amer al-Maslahi from Oman was chosen as the employers’ representative, and Engineer Nasser al-Jarid from Saudi Arabia was selected as the workers’ representative and vice president.
The council reaffirmed its continued support for the rights of workers and the people of Palestine, as well as for those living under occupation in southern Lebanon and the Syrian Golan. It emphasized the need to mobilize regional and international efforts to support relief and economic recovery programs in these areas.
The council also urged countries that have not yet recognized the State of Palestine to join the growing international movement supporting the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination and the establishment of an independent state with East Jerusalem as its capital.
Support for Ceasefire and Reconstruction Efforts
The council welcomed the recent ceasefire agreement in Gaza and the return of thousands of displaced residents. It commended diplomatic efforts that have facilitated humanitarian aid delivery to affected areas and called on the occupying authorities to compensate Palestinian workers for losses caused by attacks and destruction. The council further demanded that those responsible for such crimes be held accountable before international courts for war crimes and acts of genocide.
The meeting also called on Arab governments, employers, and labor unions to increase their support for the Palestinian people by contributing to relief programs and the Palestinian Employment Fund, and by backing labor-intensive training and job creation programs to mitigate the effects of the ongoing economic blockade.
About the Arab Labor Organization
The Arab Labor Organization is the first specialized Arab body concerned with labor affairs and employment issues at the regional level. It operates under a tripartite structure that unites governments, employers, and workers from its 21 member states, working collectively to advance social justice, improve labor standards, and promote sustainable development in the Arab world.
