On the sidelines of the 113th International Labour Conference taking place in Geneva, His Excellency Ahmed bin Suleiman Al-Rajhi, the Minister of Human Resources and Social Development, signed an agreement to renew collaboration with the International Labor Organization (ILO). This agreement marks the commencement of the third phase of the technical cooperation program between the two entities and represents a continuation of the constructive partnership that began in 2018.
The overarching aim of this collaboration is to support Saudi Arabia’s efforts in enhancing labor policies, improving the work environment, and elevating job quality. These initiatives are crucial for fostering sustainable economic growth and are aligned with the objectives set forth in Saudi Vision 2030, which strives to create a dynamic, competitive, and inclusive labor market.
Minister Al-Rajhi emphasized that this renewed strategic partnership embodies the Kingdom’s steadfast commitment to developing a work environment that meets the highest international standards. This commitment also aims to foster integration between national policies and global trends, thereby creating an effective and appealing labor market that boosts the quality of human capital and enhances the competitiveness of the national economy.
During his address, Al-Rajhi underscored that international cooperation is a foundational pillar for addressing shared labor challenges and devising sustainable solutions that benefit both employees and employers. He highlighted significant achievements and reforms that Saudi Arabia has accomplished in recent years. These include the improvement of the wage protection system, which has seen the participation of women in the labor market rise to 35.5% by the end of 2024. Additionally, the country plans to launch a national policy aimed at eradicating forced labor by February 2025, a pioneering effort within the Arab world.
Moreover, Minister Al-Rajhi pointed out the modification of Article 61 of the Labor Law, which prohibits all forms of discrimination in the workplace based on race, gender, age, disability, or social status. Efforts to enhance occupational safety and health have led to a compliance rate of 72.6%, alongside a yearly decrease in workplace injuries. The introduction of digital regulatory systems, bolstered by artificial intelligence technologies, aims to proactively monitor and mitigate workplace hazards.
Al-Rajhi also cited effective programs that support tripartite dialogue, such as the amicable resolution of labor disputes, which achieved a contractual success rate of 79% in 2024.
In closing his remarks, Minister Al-Rajhi announced that Saudi Arabia will host the third International Labor Market Conference in Riyadh on January 29 and 30, 2026. He extended an invitation to all delegations from the International Labour Conference to participate in this event, which is expected to broaden the horizons of international cooperation and facilitate the exchange of experiences toward creating a fairer and more sustainable labor future.
This renewed collaboration between Saudi Arabia and the ILO symbolizes not only a commitment to local labor reform but also a recognition of the importance of participating in a global dialogue aimed at advancing labor rights and enhancing the quality of work on an international scale. The strides made by the Kingdom in the realm of labor policies serve to position it as a leader in employment reform within the region, paving the way for further advancements that align with international standards and practices.
