Minister Qabawat Discusses Social Cooperation with US Delegation
Syrian Minister of Social Affairs and Labor, Hind Qabawat, held a video conference with a delegation from the U.S. Department of State, led by the Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor, Riley Barnes. The meeting focused on exploring avenues for cooperation across a range of priority social and humanitarian files.
During the discussions, both sides reviewed efforts related to the issue of missing persons and explored strategies to enhance social cohesion and diversity. The dialogue also addressed the necessity of updating national legislation, with a particular focus on the Law of Associations and amendments to the Labor Law. These updates are intended to be pursued through a comprehensive social dialogue involving all stakeholders, aimed at improving the integration of persons with disabilities into the labor market, intensifying efforts to combat child labor, and enhancing professional training environments and occupational safety standards.
Furthermore, the two parties discussed the development of legislation to combat hate speech and the establishment of appropriate mechanisms to counter digital disinformation on social media platforms. Both sides emphasized the importance of maintaining ongoing communication and exchanging relevant documentation and information to support these legal and social initiatives.
Saad Baroud, Director of the Department of International Organizations and Conferences at the Syrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, participated in the meeting, underscoring the Syrian government’s commitment to coordinating efforts in this field. These discussions follow a series of recent meetings conducted by Minister Qabawat, including a session with a delegation from the Syrian American Council to explore ways to leverage the expertise of the Syrian diaspora in the United States and coordinate channels for delivering humanitarian aid to Syria.
These initiatives are part of the Ministry’s broader efforts to improve the legislative and social frameworks designed to protect the most vulnerable groups, promote social inclusion, and improve services within the labor sector. The engagement reflects the Syrian government’s interest in activating cooperation on issues of a humanitarian and rights-based nature.
Source: Syria Focus Arabic
