Geneva: The Governing Body of the International Labour Organization (ILO) has unanimously adopted a new resolution aimed at enhancing support for Palestinian workers and employers. This resolution seeks to intensify efforts to address the urgent needs of these groups and advance recovery and reconstruction initiatives in the region.
According to Palestine News and Information Agency - WAFA, the resolution acknowledges the progress made through the Emergency Response Plan and the Recovery Programme, commending the ILO Office's efforts in meeting the immediate needs of Palestinian workers and employers. It also highlights the financial contributions made by some member states and urges others to provide support, ensuring the full implementation of the organization's programs in Palestine, thereby promoting decent work and social justice.
The resolution encourages social partners, in collaboration with the ILO, to prioritize sustainable financing for Palestinian employment programs. This includes support for the Palestinian Employment Fund as the primary national framework for implementing decent work programs, alongside backing for labor-intensive initiatives and entrepreneurship programs.
The Governing Body welcomed plans for a resource mobilization meeting set to occur on the sidelines of the 356th session in March 2026. This meeting will involve development partners, Governing Body members, and relevant entities, with the objective of expanding support for the ILO's work programme in Palestine.
The Council has requested the Director-General to incorporate the outcomes of this meeting in the annex to the report on 'The Situation of Workers in the Occupied Arab Territories,' which will be presented at the 114th session of the International Labour Conference. Furthermore, the Council has called for ongoing efforts to uphold the rights of Palestinian workers and employers, ensure their access to workplaces, and address long-term priorities.