The situation of workers of the occupied Arab territories
Author: ILO
June 2009
The annual report of the International Labour Office (ILO) on the situation of workers of the occupied Arab territories depicts "a dismal human, economic and social situation in the occupied Arab territories, overshadowed by stalled peace negotiations".
The report also calls for the international community to engage more forcefully "to overcome the never-ending series of privations suffered by the Palestinians of the occupied Arab territories and allow them to exercise their legitimate right to statehood, in dignity and in peace with all of their neighbours"."In the aftermath of the devastating war at the turn of the year, the situation in Gaza has all the ingredients of a humanitarian catastrophe", the report says. In contrast, according to the ILO report, the situation of workers and families in the West Bank appears to have benefited from a slight improvement in security and economic activity. However, the report points out that closure measures, including the Separation Wall and intensified settlement activity in the occupied territory, have prevented any economic shoots and the average incomes have continued to decline with a grim employment outlook in the area.
The findings of the report are based on missions sent to the occupied Arab territories and Israel and to the Syrian Arab Republic earlier in 2009 to assess the situation of workers of the occupied Arab territories, including the West Bank, Gaza and the Golan. The ILO mission also consulted with the Arab Labour Organization (ALO) and the League of Arab States in Cairo.
The report evokes the concerns of the ILO mission about the fact that over half of those in the 15-29 age group are neither in education nor in employment. The report also shows that the Palestinian economy and labour market are unable to function under occupation. This was reflected in a steep increase in unemployment in Gaza, from 28.9 per cent to 44.8 per cent. According to the report, these numbers are likely to have increased even more following the military invasion of Gaza in January 2009.
The report refers to five key potentials for positive change, including the lifting of the Gaza siege and implementing the 2005 Agreement on Movement and Access in the West Bank and Gaza Strip; freeing private business and workers from the restrictions on access and movement; bringing intra-Palestinian reconciliation to tangible results; continuing the improvement of public governance by the Palestinian Authority; and maximizing the employment content of international assistance.
Read the report online here:
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