Manila, 20 April 2012 (WAM) - The second Ministerial Consultations of ' Abu Dhabi Dialogue - 2', held recently in Manila, has achieved a very positive outcome, according to UAE Labour Minister Saqr Ghobash.

"The Abu Dhabi Dialogue witnessed a significant turn from mere discussions into viable initiatives to improve workers conditions in both sending and recipient countries," Ghboash said as he headed UAE's delegation to the meeting.

Representatives of 20 countries took part in the meeting, six of them are labour-receiving countries including UAE, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar and Kuwait in addition to 11 labour-sending countries including Afghanistan, Bangladesh, China, India, Indonesia , Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Vietnam as well as representatives of Malaysia, Singapore and Korea as observers.

"The ministers agreed to adopted a host of guiding principles to implement bilateral, as well as multilateral initiatives in relation to labour affairs," added Ghobash.

Minister of Overseas Indian Affairs Mr. Vayalar Ravi hailed UAE's support to the dialogue, aimed at addressing obstacles faced by the stakeholders.

Labour ministers of Philippines, Indonesia, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Nepal, as well as labour officials from China, Pakistan and other countries commended the efforts being made by the UAE to develop and improve conditions of foreign workers.

The pledged to enhance opportunities for recruitment of contractual labour by revising current educational and training systems and upgradiong processes for qualifications and skills accreditation.

WAM/MAB