Al-Qadri: Economic blockade and sanctions are a Western means to impede development in Arab countries

Cairo, (ST) –  The Chairman of the General Federation of Trade Unions and the Secretary-General of the International Federation of Arab Workers, Jamal Al-Qadri, affirmed that, the economic blockade and US-Western sanctions are a means to impede development efforts in Arab countries. They are a challenge facing Arab workers and their unions.

In a speech Al-Qadri delivered today during the international symposium organized by the General Union of Public Utilities Workers in Egypt headed by Counselor Hisham Fouad on “Occupational Safety and Health and the Role of Workers in Development,” Al-Qadri monitored a set of challenges facing workers in the work environment and outside, most notably the development challenge and the obstacles they face on the ground. As well as the crisis of occupational safety and health, in addition to the challenges of terrorism and the large economic blockade on some countries.

Al-Qadri explained that development is one of the most prominent challenges facing the Arab countries as they try to achieve rates of development commensurate with the available capabilities and resources in each Arab country and how to optimally and rationalize those resources to achieve development that benefits the members of society. He added that, the role of workers in development is essential, on the one hand they are the makers of development, and on the other hand they are its goal.

Al-Qadri pointed to the challenge of terrorism, which works to destroy our societies, as resources have become allocated to combating it, in addition to the challenge of the economic blockade and sanctions imposed on our countries.

Al-Qadri stressed the importance of addressing the file of occupational safety and health at this time when the whole world, especially our Arab countries, have faced the challenges and repercussions of the Corona virus.

The international symposium was attended by trade union and labor leaders from Syria, Egypt, Jordan, Bahrain, the Emirates, France, Uzbekistan and Sudan, as well as executive personalities and the boards of directors of some companies.

Raghda Sawas