The importance of studying challenges facing decent work programmes to boost employment schemes and social insurance policies as well as ensure sustainable development, said a senior Bahraini government official.

Speaking at the 15th Asia and the Pacific regional meeting of International Labour Organisation (ILO), in Kyoto, Japan, Labour Minister Jamil Humaidan said economic development would remain the main catalyst for broadening the scope of decent work.

"This growth can only take place in a secure and stable climate, with successful economic development projects and more job opportunities," he said.

He reiterated Bahrain's commitment to international labour standards and its keenness to boost its experience in fighting discrimination.

Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry chairman Dr Essam Fakhro also addressed the meeting, welcoming the ILO decision regarding a complaint filed by representatives of foreign trade unions against Bahrain alleging discrimination at work.

He said the decision to tackle the issue at the local level confirms the kingdom's ability to deal with the pitfalls of the unrest.

He stressed that Bahrain's reforms incorporated values of democracy, human rights and trade unions' freedom and bolstered its pioneering status on regional and international levels.

He highlighted the kingdom's effort to reform the labour market, preserve the rights of the workforce and honour obligations dictated by regional and international agreements signed by Bahrain.

"The kingdom has made a lot of achievements over the past decade," he said.

He also praised the role of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Economic Development Board Chairman, in enhancing economic development through a modernisation process that touched all fields.

Bahrain has been able to achieve an unprecedented economic leap, providing lucrative job opportunities for citizens and keeping the unemployment rate low, he said.

"The kingdom was also the first Arab country to provide the unemployed with allowances until they find jobs," he said.

Assistant under-secretary for labour Dr Mohammed Ali Al Ansari said the ministry had provided many specialised jobs to graduates over the past two years. They also benefited from training and rehabilitation programmes, he added. Contracts contributed to protecting the rights of graduates entering the labour market, he said, hailing the private sector's support. – TradeArabia News Service