Arab States

Arab States have been significantly affected by global socio-economic and political developments.

Through reform of legal and policy frameworks, and through capacity building, countries in the region have tackled socio-economic challenges such as poverty reduction, job creation and social protection.

Strong economic growth in the region as a whole has generated insufficient jobs to match the rapidly growing labour force. Unemployment remains high, particularly among young people and women. Globalization and trade are also adversely affecting disadvantaged groups in the rapidly expanding informal sector.

The International Training Centre of the ILO promotes the ILO’s Decent Work Agenda through learning and training opportunities that aim to build up the capacities of governments, workers’ organizations, employers’ organizations and civil society.
 
In 2008, we ran 34 regional, sub-regional or country-specific activities on campus in Turin and in Arab States themselves. 764 people from the Middle East and North Africa attended these courses. 28 per cent of them were women.

To reduce the decent work deficits in the Arab region, we focus on the following priorities:

• job creation and youth employment;
• entrepreneurship and enterprise development;
• labour market governance;
• promoting social dialogue and building up the capacity of workers’  organizations and employers’ organizations;
• extending social protection;
• assistance to crisis-affected countries and territories.

Promoting international labour standards, tripartism and gender equality are cross-cutting priorities.

For further information, please contact the Arab States desk: arabstates@itcilo.org