Doha, April 26 (QNA) - The Ministry of Labor, in cooperation with the International Labor Organization (ILO), convened on Sunday a high-level webinar to mark World Day for Safety and Health at Work 2026, observed annually on April 28. This year's theme is "A Healthy Psychosocial Work Environment."

The event forms part of ongoing efforts to strengthen occupational safety and health frameworks, promote preventive approaches, and advance safe and healthy working environments that prioritize workers' well-being, including psychosocial and mental health dimensions.

This year's observance focuses on the growing importance of workplace mental health as a structural component of productivity, resilience, and institutional sustainability, amid rapid changes in labor markets and evolving occupational risks.

Participants underscored the need for integrated policy approaches linking physical safety, psychosocial well-being, and organizational resilience.

In her opening remarks, HE Undersecretary of the Ministry of Labor Sheikha Najwa bint Abdulrahman Al-Thani said occupational safety and health must extend beyond traditional physical safeguards to encompass psychosocial dimensions as an essential element of modern labor policy.

She emphasized that safeguarding workers' health is both a moral and institutional responsibility, noting that psychosocially supportive workplaces contribute to improved productivity, greater job stability, and reduced occupational risk. She added that these outcomes align with the objectives of Qatar National Vision 2030 and broader efforts to enhance labor market sustainability.

Her Excellency further said that the development of safe and supportive workplaces is central to building a skilled and innovative workforce, reflecting the Ministry's commitment to aligning national practices with international standards in occupational safety and health.

For his part, HE Director-General of the Executive Office of the GCC Labor Ministers' Council and Social Affairs Ministers' Council, Mohammed Hassan Al Obaidly, commended Qatar's efforts in advancing workplace mental health, noting that national policies and initiatives have contributed to the development of more supportive work environments and positioned the country as a regional reference point in this field.

Director of the International Labor Organization (ILO) Office in Qatar,

Francesco D'Ovidio, said a healthy work environment extends beyond the prevention of physical harm to enabling workers to perform their duties with dignity, balance, and purpose.

He added that psychosocial well-being is not an additional consideration but a core requirement for safe, productive, and sustainable labor markets.

He called for a shift from awareness to implementation, from individual coping mechanisms to organizational redesign, and from fragmented interventions to integrated occupational safety and health systems.

A leadership session highlighted Qatar's strategic direction in embedding psychosocial well-being within occupational safety frameworks. Assistant Undersecretary for Migrant Labor Affairs Hamad Faraj Dalmouk said worker psychological well-being is now a core pillar of national policy rather than a supplementary consideration.

He outlined three strategic priorities: integrating psychosocial risk factors into occupational risk assessments, strengthening legislative frameworks addressing workplace stress, and leveraging artificial intelligence to monitor and assess workplace well-being indicators.

He said the objective is to position Qatar as a regional model in which workplace quality is measured by genuine well-being rather than the absence of harm, supported by strong public-private collaboration in line with Qatar National Vision 2030 and the Sustainable Development Goals.

Executive Director of the Workers' Support and Insurance Fund Kholoud Saif Al Kubaisi said worker protection extends beyond physical safety to include psychological stability, financial security, and dignity at work. She added that investing in worker well-being directly supports labor market stability and productivity, while reinforcing Qatar's position as a leader in worker protection.

Participants concluded the webinar by endorsing a series of recommendations aimed at strengthening psychosocial workplace conditions. These included the development of practical guidance frameworks to support organizations in identifying and mitigating occupational and psychosocial risks, alignment with international standards and ILO guidance, and expanded capacity-building through continuous training and awareness programs for employers and workers.

They also emphasized the importance of strengthening workplace dialogue and worker participation in decision-making, promoting work environments that support dignity and work-life balance, and enhancing cooperation between government institutions, the private sector, and international organizations to ensure a coherent and integrated approach.

Participants reaffirmed that advancing a healthy psychosocial work environment is a strategic priority for human well-being, institutional resilience, and sustainable economic development, and a key contributor to the objectives of Qatar National Vision 2030. (QNA)