ABU DHABI // The forum yesterday highlighted the need to promote migrant workers' rights and reach agreements on their movement around the Arabian Gulf.
Dr Farrukh Iqbal, the World Bank's country director, GCC countries, Middle East and North Africa, said the issue of labour migration, particularly in the GCC, demanded more attention.
"Internal and international labour migration is an important determinant of economic development and merits much more resources and attention than has been the case so far," said Dr Iqbal. "The GCC is an important stakeholder in the international migration issue."
He said the conference also highlighted the need for international agencies such as the World Bank and the UN to collaborate with different regional groups to "ensure that the migration agenda gets the attention that it deserves".
Mubarak Al Saeed Al Dhahiri, undersecretary at the Ministry of Labour, said he was sure the conference will lead to greater co-operation. "I'm certain that our conference will lead to more local, regional and international collaboration and promote participation of the GCC countries with the Asian labour-sending countries in the field of labour mobility," he said.
"We hope to meet soon in a similar event."