Ramallah: The Labor Ministry, in collaboration with KfW Development Bank, the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), and the UN agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA), has officially launched the Palestinian Employment Initiative (PEI). This significant undertaking was unveiled by Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa and Labor Minister Enas Attari, alongside high-ranking representatives from the Federal Republic of Germany, the UNDP, and the Office of UNRWA Operations in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, at the Prime Minister’s Office in Ramallah.
According to Palestine News and Information Agency – WAFA, the three-year initiative is set to be implemented by the Office of UNRWA Operations in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, in conjunction with the UNDP. The German Government, through KfW, is providing a substantial funding of 25 million pounds to facilitate the creation of approximately 8,000 job opportunities in these regions.
Prime Minister Mustafa praised the PEI for its potential to strengthen the resilience o
f the Palestinian people, especially those who have lost their livelihoods due to the Israeli aggression on Gaza and the West Bank. He emphasized that the initiative aims to foster economic recovery by generating employment opportunities in crucial sectors, thereby sending a hopeful message during challenging times.
Furthermore, Mustafa urged other nations to contribute to the PEI, viewing it as an investment in building a sustainable future for Palestinians. He highlighted the critical role the initiative plays in addressing unprecedented unemployment rates, particularly among women and youth.
Labor Minister Attari expressed her heartfelt appreciation to the German Government for their support, noting that the PEI will enable Palestinian workers to generate income and serve as a cornerstone for economic sustainability. She emphasized that the initiative represents a proactive approach to tackling the unemployment crisis, aiming to build a flexible and inclusive labor market by investing in various sectors
and equipping workers with essential skills and opportunities.