Ramallah:The Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates and Labor have jointly urged Palestinian ambassadors and diplomatic missions abroad to enhance diplomatic efforts aimed at safeguarding Palestinian workers' rights and expanding job opportunities. The call was made during a briefing session held on Thursday, where the challenges faced by Palestinian workers were highlighted.
According to Palestine news & Information Agency – WAFA – English, the session was attended by Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Varsen Shahin and Minister of Labor Enas al-Attari. They discussed the significant impact of the crisis on Palestinian workers, including economic and social losses linked to their inability to access workplaces. The ministries emphasized the role of diplomatic missions in gathering international support and building partnerships that benefit Palestinian workers and the economy.
Minister Shahin stressed the importance of Palestinian embassies in sharing documented cases of workers' conditions and Israeli violations. She highlighted the need for leveraging international relations to support Palestinian workers' rights and foster economic cooperation. Minister Al-Attari noted the dire situation of the Palestinian labor market due to Israeli policies, leading to high unemployment rates and economic challenges.
Al-Attari reported that more than 140,000 Palestinian workers have been barred from accessing their workplaces inside the Green Line since October 2023, affecting nearly 300,000 workers in the West Bank. Wage losses have been estimated at NIS 902 million monthly, severely impacting household incomes and economic activities. She also detailed initiatives to provide emergency assistance and employment opportunities to support affected workers.
The ministers further outlined strategies to enhance employment and vocational training, promote entrepreneurship, and digitalize employment services. They urged diplomatic missions to engage with international bodies and the private sector to create job opportunities and support national programs aimed at protecting workers’ rights and economic resilience.