Opening address by ILO Director-General at the Special Sitting on the Situation of Workers of the Occupied Arab Territories

Video of the address

Minister Alexei Buzu, President of the Conference,

Vice-Presidents of the Conference,

Excellencies,

Delegates,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

This session stems from the Governing Body's March decision, recommending that the Appendix to the Director-General's Report on The situation of workers of the occupied Arab territories be discussed at this 112th Session of the International Labour Conference.

Today, we gather to confront the pressing issues faced by these workers, seeking actionable solutions to enhance their conditions and uphold the principles of justice and equity for all. Your insights and contributions are essential as we work towards these goals.

In the wake of the horrific Hamas-led atrocities against Israel and the ensuing relentless war waged by Israel, the labour market in Gaza has collapsed. Gaza is in ruins. Livelihoods are shattered and work is scarce. Labour rights have been decimated.

There is growing hardship for workers and employers. Businesses are closing and hundreds of thousands of jobs have been lost.

My report to this Conference paints a distressing picture. This has been the hardest year for Palestinian workers since 1967. Never before has the situation been this bleak.

Let me recall in this context the ILC resolution underlying my annual report. It was adopted in 1980, by the 66th International Labour Conference. The resolution expressed deep concern about the intensification of Israeli settlement policy. It emphasized the economic and social consequences of the settlements and the detrimental effects on labour rights and employment of workers of the occupied Arab territories.

At the time, 44 years ago, there were about 100,000 Israeli settlers scattered around the occupied territories. Today, the West Bank is host to an estimated 700,000 settlers.

As my report underlines, the situation in Gaza is particularly catastrophic. The loss of Palestinian civilian life is on a scale never seen before in the occupied Palestinian Territory.

Entire families have been wiped out.

Children have been traumatized and injured for life.

People have been denied access to the basics for human survival.

Most workers and employers have been displaced, often multiple times. Most are now homeless. Most workplaces are destroyed.

The labour market, already stifled by 17 years of blockade, has largely been replaced by survival activities. We estimate that more than 200,000 jobs have been lost in Gaza since October last year, representing more than two-thirds of total employment prior to October 7, 2023. Labour income losses in Gaza amount to more than US$ 3 million a day.

The misery in Gaza has cast a long shadow over the West Bank, which has experienced significant knock-on effects. Access to the Israeli labour market is closed to most Palestinians, while increased settler violence and movement restrictions suffocate economic activity.

The West Bank economy, including East Jerusalem, is now in deep crisis: GDP is declining rapidly; many enterprises have reduced working hours and dismissed workers; the unemployment rate has more than doubled: from 12.9 per cent in the third quarter of 2023 to 27 per cent by the end of 2023 (table 2.3 of OAT Report, p.35). Labour force participation declined considerably as many jobseekers became discouraged and left the labour market altogether.

Work in Israel used to be a lifeline for many Palestinians. Yet, daily access to Israel via the checkpoints and crossings was fraught with long and arduous commutes. Since October last year, only a very limited few have access to Israel. As described in previous reports to the Conference, the number of Palestinian workers employed in Israel and the settlements has steadily increased over the years. However, working conditions for Palestinian workers in Israel remain of deep concern. The work permit regime and its associated broker practices must be reformed.

Meanwhile, in the occupied Syrian Golan, also in sight and hearing of hostilities in the last months, there is a continuing sense of unequal treatment as the traditional ways of life and work are threatened by increasing numbers of Israeli settlers. The labour market of the Syrian citizens of the occupied Golan is in rapid transition towards non-agricultural activities.

Excellencies, delegates,

In these dark times, there have been strong calls on the ILO to step up to the many challenges on the ground. It is clear that there is an important – and highly valued – role for the ILO, its expertise and rights-based approach.

This year my report includes recommendations, in the final chapter.

Among other things, I emphasize the need to plan for a job-rich and rights-driven early recovery while the humanitarian response is still unfolding. Job creation and decent work need to be put at the centre of the rebuilding of infrastructure and services. In parallel, social protection initiatives will need to quickly be expanded. Social dialogue will be vital in planning and implementing measures for recovery and resilience. Labour rights must be upheld. Of course, none of this will be possible without an end to the current war and the release of all hostages.

Ladies and gentlemen,

As you know, the ILO has already worked with workers’ and employers’ organizations to provide emergency relief and continues to review and report on the labour market situation. I wish to reiterate that we stand ready to work with all parties, in a tripartite manner, to pave the way for a solid recovery. Our Emergency Recovery Programme for the Occupied Palestinian Territory provides a phased and multi-layered framework, based on Recommendation No. 205. It requires more external financial support.

Finally, I strongly believe that there is a way for Palestinian daily workers in Israel to resume their work. The conclusion of a prompt agreement authorizing such action could be a major step forward.

Social justice is the way out of the interlinked crises affecting the OAT.

It is a call for action to all of us. Individually and collectively

Thank you.