Qatar’s Minister of Labour, Ali bin Samikh Al Marri, will take center stage as he chairs the 111th session of the International Labour Conference of the International Labour Organization (ILO) in Geneva from 5 to 16 June 2023. This prestigious conference brings together delegates from 187 Member States to address pressing issues, such as sustainable economies, quality apprenticeships, and worker protection. Qatar’s commitment to these objectives makes it a fitting host for this significant gathering.

Recognizing Qatar’s Reforms:

According to observers, Qatar’s notable progress in the field of workers’ rights and the improvement of its laws and regulations over the years have placed it in the fore and instilled trust in its ability to lead the world’s most important labour conference. Minister Al Marri’s assumption of the conference presidency is a testament to Qatar’s remarkable efforts in the field of workers’ rights. He has been actively involved in numerous human rights committees and initiatives, including the National Human Rights Committee and the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions. Al Marri’s leadership has played a crucial role in Qatar’s accession to various human rights conventions, protocols, and covenants, elevating its standing on the global stage.

Promoting Workers’ Welfare:

Al Marri’s tenure as the Qatari Minister of Labour has been marked by an unwavering dedication to improving the working and living conditions of migrant workers, particularly in the construction industry. Al Marri is a global human rights figure who garners universal respect, as evidenced by his active participation in international conferences. He also has extensive experience in international work related to the protection and promotion of human rights at local and international levels. During his tenure as Chairman of the National Human Rights Committee, he was instrumental in Qatar’s accession to several human rights conventions, protocols, and covenants. Al Marri was responsible for numerous beneficial initiatives, including the establishment of the Arab Network of National Human Rights Institutions, which enriched the Arab human rights field, and the establishment of the West Asia office of the Asia Pacific Forum of National Human Rights Institutions. Given his accomplishments, Al Marri faced defamation and incitement campaigns, including during the attack on Qatar during its hosting of the 2022 FIFA World Cup. He did, however, continue to gain international respect, eventually reaching the presidency of the International Labour Conference at its next session. His efforts have focused on enhancing transparency, accountability, and addressing issues of labor exploitation. Under his leadership, reforms have been implemented to protect workers, ensuring their social and legal well-being.

Collaboration with ILO:

The partnership between Minister Al Marri and the ILO has been instrumental in driving labor reforms. Together, they have worked on initiatives related to occupational safety and health, combating forced labor and human trafficking, and supporting companies in aligning their policies with new legislation.

“Recent labour reforms by the State of Qatar have brought positive results. I thank Minister Al Marri for their commitment to pursue these reforms and their implementation, in line with Qatar’s vision 2030. The ILO is ready to continue supporting the State of Qatar, to bring further improvements that benefit all workers,” Director-General Houngbo

In May 2021, a new Ministerial Decision was introduced to protect workers during the hottest months of the year (From 1 June to 15 September) particularly outdoor workers who are exposed to the heat, humidity and the sun, must work between 10 am and 3:30 pm. On 3 November 2022, Ali bin Samikh Al Marri had a meeting with the Director-General of the International Labour Organization (ILO) Gilbert F. Houngbo, in Geneva, and during the meeting, the progress was noticed in the continuous technical cooperation program between the ILO and Qatar. Their continuous technical cooperation program has yielded positive results, gaining international recognition for Qatar’s commitment to improving workers’ rights.

Global Recognition and Respect:

Al Marri’s contributions to human rights and his international engagement have garnered him universal respect. His active participation in international conferences and extensive experience in the protection and promotion of human rights at various levels have solidified his position as a global champion. Despite facing defamation and incitement campaigns, Al Marri’s accomplishments have prevailed, leading him to assume the presidency of the International Labour Conference—an esteemed position that further underscores his dedication to advancing workers’ rights.

Culture plays a significant role in consumer behavior. It influences everything from how people consume products to the way they look. Creating marketing campaigns that take into account these differences will help your business to succeed.

To begin with, different cultures have their own unique customs and rituals. This includes everything from the number 7 being good luck in the Czech Republic to eating dinner at the end of the day in Ireland.

Another important example is the way language is used to communicate. People in countries like Italy and France tend to eat a lot more packaged pasta and chocolate bars than their American counterparts.

Similarly, different languages can also lead to different marketing messages and branding issues. For example, an American company might create a slogan promoting its latest product. However, if this slogan is translated into a different language, it can lose its original meaning.

Some other aspects that can affect a marketer’s message include business norms, color, and aesthetics. The most important thing to remember when marketing to a foreign country is to understand their culture.

Other cultural differences include religion. Different religions have different beliefs and attitudes about marketing and business. Therefore, it is important to understand how religion impacts how a marketer communicates.

Similarly, different cultures have different attitudes about clothing. Women in many Middle Eastern and Muslim nations are required to wear modest clothing. Likewise, an evening meal in the United States is called dinner, while a similar dinner in Ireland is called tea.