The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (MHRSD) and the International Labour Organization (ILO) have reaffirmed their commitment to continued cooperation on phase three of the ILO-Saudi Arabia Programme of Cooperation aimed at supporting labour market development, strengthening institutions, and enhancing protections for workers in the Kingdom.
During high-level discussions on the third phase of the ILO-Saudi Arabia Programme of Cooperation held in Geneva on 4 June 2026 between ILO Director-General Gilbert F. Houngbo and the Minister of Human Resources and Social Development of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Eng. Ahmed bin Sulaiman Al-Rajhi, the two sides discussed the priorities of the ongoing partnership.
© ILO/ Alioune Ndiaye
Recent activities under the Programme of Cooperation have focused on strengthening labour market governance and institutional capacity. Key outcomes include joint work on a comprehensive situational analysis of forced labour in the Kingdom, the adoption by the Ministry of the ILO's Skills for Trade and Economic Diversification (STED) methodology to strengthen skills anticipation systems, and capacity-building initiatives for Sector Skills Councils and the Occupational Safety and Health Council. The programme has also supported training activities for cooperative owners and Ministry staff.
Minister of Human Resources and Social Development of Saudi Arabia, Eng. Ahmed bin Sulaiman Al-Rajhi, highlighted the importance of the partnership saying "Saudi Arabia's labour market transformation is guided by a clear commitment to economic competitiveness while ensuring social progress. Our continued cooperation with the ILO reflects our shared ambition to build a more inclusive, resilient and future-ready labour market. One that expands opportunities, enhances protections for all workers, and supports the Kingdom's national priorities and ambitions."
Welcoming Saudi Arabia's commitment to advancing worker protections in line with international labour standards, ILO Director-General Gilbert F. Houngbo said "This ongoing phase of cooperation reflects the value of continued collaboration between Saudi Arabia and the ILO to support progress towards a more inclusive and resilient labour market, with greater opportunities and rights for all workers, and to advance decent work for all in the Kingdom."
This phase of cooperation will support efforts to strengthen social dialogue, improve labour mobility and recruitment systems, enhance protections for domestic workers, expand access to justice and social protection, reinforce labour inspection and occupational safety and health systems, and support stronger skills governance. It will also contribute to the effective implementation, in both law and practice, of the international labour standards ratified by the Kingdom.
