Green Jobs Agenda: Bahrain to Chair 2026 GCC Labour Meeting

Gulf labour ministers have placed workplace safety and the transition to green jobs at the forefront of their agenda during a high-level meeting in Kuwait this week.

The 11th meeting of the Committee of Labour Ministers of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) brought together ministers from across the region from September 2 to 4, with Bahrain represented by His Excellency Yusuf bin Abdulhussein Khalaf, Minister of Legal Affairs and Acting Minister of Labour.

Safety Framework

Ministers endorsed initiatives and projects under the Gulf Framework for Occupational Safety and Health. They also formed a working group to explore how labour ministry issues can be integrated into national climate change plans. Discussions included the possibility of drafting a guiding framework for a just transition and green jobs.

In addition, the meeting reviewed the results of the committee’s 2025–2029 strategy, considered ways to expand private-sector employment opportunities for citizens across GCC states, and exchanged experiences from successful national workforce training programmes. The issue of irregular migrant labour in member countries was also examined.

Bahrain in the Spotlight

It was announced that the Kingdom of Bahrain will chair the 12th committee meeting in October 2026, giving Manama a central role in shaping future GCC labour policy.

On the sidelines of the gathering, three Bahraini companies received special recognition. Naseej and Zain Bahrain were honoured for excellence in localisation and workforce empowerment, while Green Anova won the award for the best small project in the Kingdom.

Regional Cooperation

The meeting highlighted how Gulf states are collaborating not only to improve job localisation and address irregular labour but are also beginning to align employment agendas with climate goals, safety standards, and long-term workforce sustainability.