Nermen Al-Sharif, President of the Libyan General Trade Union Federation, voiced criticism regarding the speech delivered by Presidential Council head Mohamed Al-Menfi at the recently concluded Second World Social Development Summit in Doha on 6 November. Attended by global leaders, labour ministers, and worker organisations, the summit was a platform for international dialogue. Al-Sharif described Al-Menfi’s address as “detached from the reality of Libya,” calling for candid and transparent discussions that genuinely reflect the country’s pressing challenges of administrative corruption and financial reform.
Al-Sharif expressed regret over the absence of the Minister of Labour from the Libyan delegation. She argued that this omission cost Libya the opportunity to directly present workers’ concerns to international partners. She stressed the necessity for state representatives to truthfully convey facts and problems to the global community. Furthermore, she noted that the absence of certain introductory figures and officials limited the delegation’s capacity to fully communicate the true state of Libya’s economy and labour system.
Reflecting on the summit’s themes—eradicating poverty, securing decent work, and fostering social inclusion—Al-Sharif highlighted that fundamental social issues such as poverty, inequality, lack of justice, and the marginalisation of workers remain formidable challenges, persisting three decades after the Copenhagen Summit. She asserted that genuine development should be measured not just by figures and conferences, but by the dignity of citizens and the practice of justice.
Finally, Al-Sharif commended the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC), the Arab Trade Union Confederation, and the Friedrich Ebert Foundation for supporting the participation of internationally recognised Arab federations. She highlighted the effective contributions of unionists in exposing the shortcomings of certain government policies and drawing attention to the plight of workers. Reaffirming her conviction, Al-Sharif concluded that real change begins with selecting national representatives who sincerely voice the aspirations of the people and work towards achieving social justice. She then expressed her anticipation for returning to Benghazi to visit her family and resume the activities of the Libyan union federation.
