The Minister of Labour of Qatar, H E Dr. Ali bin Smaikh Al Marri, recently engaged in a productive meeting with his Portuguese counterpart, H E Maria do Rosário Palma Ramalho, Minister of Labour, Solidarity and Social Security of Portugal, in Lisbon. The discussion centred on labour governance and workplace development, with a focus on strengthening bilateral cooperation between the two nations.
The meeting aimed to facilitate the exchange of expertise and best practices in labour governance, ultimately enhancing collaboration between Qatar and Portugal. According to the Ministry of Labour, the talks highlighted the potential for mutual benefit in areas such as occupational health and safety, social protection, and workforce development.
Labour Governance and Bilateral Cooperation
Dr. Al Marri highlighted Qatar’s proactive approach to digital transformation in the labour market, citing comprehensive reforms implemented to promote flexibility, fairness, and compliance. The reforms include modernised labour legislation and advanced inspection systems, particularly in the areas of occupational safety and health. The Ministry of Labour has been working to create a more sustainable working environment, and the meeting with Portugal’s Minister of Labour provided an opportunity to share experiences and learn from each other.
Qatar’s experience in social protection and decent work aligns with Portugal’s policies, and the two countries are exploring ways to leverage their shared goals. The Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministries of Labour in Qatar and Portugal provides a framework for technical cooperation, joint training programmes, and the development of digital initiatives in labour inspection and workplace safety. This agreement is expected to support collaboration on social protection, youth engagement, and women’s empowerment.
Key Areas of Cooperation
Occupational Health and Safety
The discussions between Dr. Al Marri and H E Maria do Rosário Palma Ramalho touched on the importance of occupational health and safety in the workplace. Both countries are committed to creating a safe and healthy working environment, and they are exploring ways to share best practices and expertise in this area. The Ministry of Labour in Qatar has implemented various initiatives to promote occupational health and safety, including advanced inspection systems and training programmes.
Social Protection and Workforce Development
In addition to occupational health and safety, the meeting also focused on social protection and workforce development. The two countries are working together to identify strategic opportunities to advance joint initiatives in these areas. The Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministries of Labour in Qatar and Portugal is expected to provide a framework for cooperation on social protection, youth engagement, and women’s empowerment.
As the two countries move forward with their bilateral cooperation, the next steps are expected to include the implementation of joint training programmes and the development of digital initiatives in labour inspection and workplace safety. According to the Ministry of Labour, the outcome of these efforts will depend on the successful implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding and the continued commitment of both nations to labour governance and workplace development.
The collaboration between Qatar and Portugal is expected to yield positive results in the areas of labour governance and workplace development. However, the success of these initiatives will depend on various factors, including the effective implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding and the continued exchange of expertise between the two countries. The outcome of these efforts will be worth watching in the coming months.
