Addressing labor ministers and representatives of over 30 countries, Mohammad Taghi Hosseini referred to the worldwide unemployment crisis adding, “the phenomenon is more severe in parts of the Muslim world and can lead to more disasters.”
Hosseini outlined Iran’s positions on the global labor issues at the third session of ICLM held in Jakarta, Indonesia; “according to statistics, the unemployment rate in the Middle East had been 24 per cent in 2009 whereas the rate is estimated to exceed 30 per cent in the current year,” he added.
“A portion of the insecurity in the Middle East is due to lack of opportunities and extensive unemployment which, in turn, leads to increased violence and the vicious cycle is expected to continue in the coming years,” he noted.
Hosseini continued: “in order to get out of the current situation, we recommend the Islamic countries to take certain measures including increasing workforce skills, academic training, supporting small and medium-sized firms, directing funds to protect unemployment, encouraging entrepreneurship, avoiding ethnic and religious tensions as well as increasing cultural tolerance based on Islamic teachings.”
“The Islamic Republic of Iran has implemented several plans to reduce unemployment crisis in the country like providing employment ground, strengthening skills and making efforts to reduce inequality in the country,” noted the official stressing the need to strengthen protocols, standards as well as the labor inspection system.
Deputy labor minister for international affairs advised the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) members to attach as much attention to occupational health as they do to work accidents since the later has immediate effects while the former will exert long-term effects imposing heavy costs to families and the government.
He deemed strengthening of occupational health as the most urgent issue. Referring to Iran’s Health System Reform Plan by which all Iranians have universal health insurance coverage said: “the initiative marked a great success for the Islamic Republic of Iran and it was recognized by international organizations like the World Health Organization and the International Labor Organization.”
“The project aimed to help the poor who were not covered by insurance,” maintained Hosseini expressing Iran’s readiness to transfer experience in the field of social protection of workers and the poor to OIC members.
The official furhter pointed to the problems of workers in the occupied Palestinian territories and noted: “the reports of the International Labor Organization (ILO) reveal that the Zionist regime has taken up the worst kind of behavior towards Palestinian workers.”
Iran’s deputy minister of cooperatives, labor and social welfare for international affairs urged the ICLM participants to take appropriate action in this regard and expressed condolences to countries afflicted with the recent disasters in Saudi Arabia calling for proper measures to prevent similar incidents.
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