GENEVA: The International Labor Organization (ILO) voted to formally upgrade Palestine’s status from “a liberation movement” to “a non-member observer state”. This decision was made at the conclusion of the General Conference of the Board of Directors of the ILO.
According to Palestine News and Information Agency – WAFA, the meeting was attended by Shaher Saad, Secretary-General of the Palestinian General Federation of Trade Unions (PGFTU), along with representatives from Arab and international unions affiliated with the ILO. The final text of the meeting assured the acceptance of Palestine by the Organization’s Board of Directors in its resolution 352.
Saad revealed that the decision will be finalized at the International Labor Conference in June 2025. He stressed that this decision grants Palestine full participation in all structures of the International Labor Organization and paves the way for it to transition to participatory membership.
The majority at the conference welcomed the decision, with the e
xception of Israel, the occupying state, which opposed it. Saad mentioned that, for the first time, Palestine will participate in 2025 with an official tripartite delegation, representing the government, workers, and employers, indicating its full engagement in the organization.
The International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) expressed its approval of the ILO Board’s decision. ITUC General Secretary, Luca Visentini, stated that this recognition by the International Labor Organization is a sign of hope and solidarity with the Palestinian people, who encounter significant challenges regarding their human and labor rights. He further added that recognizing the state of Palestine is crucial for sustainable peace.
