1. 1 Fundamental labor rights and freedoms in the business sector in light of the UN Global Compact principles “From text to implementation in the GCC Countries” First Regional Conference On Corporate Social Responsibility in the Middle East Istanbul- Turkey 19-20 June 2013 Mohamad Arfan Alkhatib, Ph.D. Associate Professor of Law Ahmad Bin Mohammad College Doha – Qatar Alkhatibur@yahoo.com

2. 2 Outline Fast Reminder of the UN Global Compact Principles Main Features of the GCC Labor Markets Compliance of GCC Countries with the UN Global Compact and CSR Principles Case Studies from KSA and Qatar. Findings and Recommendations.

3. 3 The UN Global Compact: The Ten Principles Principle 1- 2Principle Human Rights Principle 3- 6 Principle 3- 6 Labor Principle 7- 9 Environment Principle 10: Principle 10 Anti- Corruption

4. 4 The UN Global Compact: The Pillars The Universal Declaration of Human Rights The International Labor Organization's Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work The Rio Declaration on Environment and Development The United Nations Convention Against Corruption

5. 5 Particularity of GCC Countries labor market Particularity in population Particularity in employment Particularity in funds The high pace of economic development in GCC Countries, and the lack of national HR led to a dominant non-national HR on the employers (corporates) as well as on the employees (imported labor) levels.

6. 6

7. 7

8. 8

9. 9 Imported labor... but,,,  Low cost labor  Non-selective  Unskilled  Massive  Temporary  Illiterate  Physical nature  Difficult duties  Domestic work…

10. 10 The UN Global Compact Human worker = Human dignity The Universal Declaration of Human Rights 1948 First Optional Protocol 1966 Second Optional Protocol 1989 International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights 1966 Optional Protocol 2008 International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights 1966

11. 11 Role of Corporates (GCC) Countries All national and international corporates operates in accordance with national laws and legislations of these countries or dual conventions. In terms of universality of human rights, multinational companies (especially oil companies) do face several cases of legal duplication.

12. 12 Worker human = Professional dignity ILO Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work 1998 Freedom of association and the effective recognition of the right to collective bargaining. C87, 1948. C98, 1949. Elimination of all forms of forced or compulsory labor. C29, 1930. C105, 1957. Effective abolition of child labour. C138, 1973. C182, 1999. Elimination of discrimination in respect of employment and occupation C100, 1951. C111, 1958.

13. 13 Worker human = Professional dignity ILO Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work 1998 Freedom of association and the effective recognition of the right to collective bargaining. Elimination of all forms of forced or compulsory labor. Effective abolition of child labor. Elimination of discrimination in respect of employment and occupation

14. 14

15. 15 ALO C2 1967 concerning labor mobility and ALO C4 1975 for the same subject “modified”. Countries exporting the labor did ratify them while non of the countries importing labor did ratify these conventions. Exporting countries ratified. Importing countries (GCC) did not. Arabic labor situation is not better Elimination of discrimination in respect of employment and occupation C111 Discrimination (Employment and Occupation) Convention, 1958

16. 16

17. 17 Case Study (1): CSR Situation Across KSA A Study Conducted in 2009 by The National Commercial Bank - YouGovSiraj

18. 18

19. 19

20. 20 Case Study (2): CSR IN QATARGAS

21. 21 Diversity and Equal Opportunity No difference is applied on the basis of gender, age or origin. Salary grades and basic salaries, including minimum amount paid, are the same for male and female employees.

22. 22 Findings and Recommendations GCC Countries are dealing with all issues of fundamental rights and freedoms at work in order to fully comply with the international labor laws and standards. Several challenges are being faced Corporates, especially multinational, are to comply with international standards, and not to invoke national laws to evade respect.

23. 23 Findings and Recommendations (2) Business institutions, especially multinational, may form, as part of their social responsibility, effective units to promote CSR principles and practices in their hosting countries. GCC governments are urged to finalize the ratification of all international conventions related to civil, political and socio-economic rights.

24. 24 Thank you for listening Alkhatibur@yahoo.com