Ministers Convene in Dubai for Key Dialogue
The 8th Abu Dhabi Dialogue Ministerial Consultation concluded in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, on February 2, 2026, following preparatory meetings that began on January 30. Ministers of Labour, Human Resources, and Employment from 17 Asian sending nations and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) receiving states participated in the significant event. Representatives from international organizations, the private sector, and civil society were also in attendance, with the Labour Office of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation joining as an observer for the first time.
Chaired by Oman, the Dialogue served as a crucial platform for enhancing cooperation and exchanging best practices in labor migration governance.
'Future-of-Work' Agenda Adopted
A central outcome of the consultation was the adoption of a comprehensive 'Future-of-Work' agenda, designed to upgrade skills and bolster protection for Gulf migrant workers. This agenda emphasizes building 'agile, skills-based' migration pathways and clamping down on illegal recruitment practices.
Key deliverables and initiatives under this agenda include:
- The establishment of a pilot 'Skills Mobility Corridor', which will allow accredited electricians from the Philippines and Pakistan to convert short-term construction visas into two-year renewable residence permits after onsite upskilling.
- The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) will fund an interoperable blockchain ledger to track contracts and salary payments, enhancing transparency and accountability.
- Member states committed to providing at least six months' notice for any changes to wage thresholds or medical examination rules, offering greater predictability for employers and workers.
Digitalization and Worker Protection at the Forefront
The Dialogue placed a strong emphasis on leveraging Artificial Intelligence (AI) and digitalization to modernize labor mobility governance across the Asia-GCC corridor. This includes the implementation of AI-driven skills-matching, electronic worker credentials, and smarter labor-inspection systems to streamline hiring processes and elevate protection standards for migrant workers.
Discussions also focused on improving data systems, expanding regular and skills-responsive migration pathways, and strengthening the overall protection and inclusion of migrant workers. The agenda also explored the use of workers' remittances as a strategic tool for development and skills reshaping, alongside setting up smart inspection systems to ensure compliance with labor legislation.
Statements and Future Outlook
Dr. Abdulrahman Al Awar, UAE Minister of Human Resources and Emiratisation, highlighted the Gulf's need to transition from low-wage talent to 'knowledge-intensive, green-economy' roles. He also showcased the UAE's advancements in labor market reforms, noting 99% coverage of workers under the Wage Protection System and Workers Protection Programme, and 90% coverage under unemployment insurance.
Asif Nazrul, Bangladesh's Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment Adviser, underscored the shared responsibility of both sending and receiving nations in addressing exploitation and ensuring fair-wage floors and faster visa processing. The Abu Dhabi Dialogue, established in 2008, continues to serve as a vital consultative mechanism for fostering cooperation on labor migration issues. The Philippines is set to assume the Chairmanship for the upcoming 9th edition of the Dialogue for the 2026-2027 term.
0 Comments